Autumn

"Autumn" by Robert Nathan is a novel written in the early 20th century. The book centers on the life of Mr. Jeminy, an aging schoolmaster in the fictional village of Hillsboro, as he navigates themes of love, loneliness, and the passage of time against the backdrop of a changing rural community. Along with Jeminy, the story introduces a cast of village characters, including Mrs. Grumble, his housekeeper, who complicates his life with her constant complaints. The opening of the novel sets a serene yet melancholy tone as it describes a typical day in Hillsboro. Mr. Jeminy, contemplative and gentle, teaches his students while grappling with the realities of aging and the feeling of being out of touch with the changing world around him. The narrative juxtaposes Jeminy's reflective nature against the more pragmatic and lively characters like Mrs. Grumble and Farmer Barly. As the seasons change, so do the dynamics in the village, illustrated through the interactions among villagers and the characters’ inner thoughts, hinting at deeper explorations of love, loss, and the nature of happiness throughout the story.