Chiaro-Oscuro
The novel follows the story of a young woman named Lucy who lives in a small town in Kentucky during the late 19th century. Lucy's life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers that her father, who had been presumed dead for years, is actually alive and living nearby. As Lucy navigates this new revelation, she must confront the secrets and lies that have defined her family's history and find a way to move forward with her life.
By Annie Fellows Johnston · First published 1920 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama · 223 words
First lines
SOMEHOW I love to look at the picture I made of her, Work of an idle time, the summer of life's long year; For as I stand and gaze, dreaming of those lost days, Almost it seems to me I can see her sitting here.
That is the way she sat, with her head a trifle raised, Looking thoughtfully out at a scene I could never see.
Delicate color of rose dawning and dying down, Flushing the rare sweet face as she listened or spoke to me.
Whitest light of the sky I showered on her upturned brow, Gathered the darkest shades and brushed them into her hair, Thinking the while I worked of the law that always sends The deepest shadows to follow the high lights everywhere.
What this Textopian page supports
Chiaro-Oscuro is listed on Textopian as a short story by Annie Fellows Johnston, dated 1920 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Annie Fellows Johnston
- Date: 1920 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Drama
- Length: 223 words
- Structure: 1 section, 5 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Chiaro-Oscuro by Annie Fellows Johnston
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Chiaro-Oscuro?
- How does this short story by Annie Fellows Johnston fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The book is set in the past, specifically the 19th century, reflecting the societal norms, manners, customs, and traditions of that time period.
- Romance — The narrative revolves around the romantic relationships between the characters, their dilemmas, emotions, and passions.
- Drama — The book is characterized by its dramatic elements, including emotional conflicts, personal struggles, and theatrical events.
Tags
historical fiction · Kentucky · Appalachia · family drama · love triangle · small town · coming of age · identity · self-discovery · loss · grief · trauma
More by Annie Fellows Johnston
- Mildred's Inheritance; Just Her Way; Ann's Own Way (1906)
- The Quilt that Jack Built; How He Won the Bicycle (1904)
- The Legend of the Bleeding-heart (1907)
- Big Brother (1893)
- In the Desert of Waiting: The Legend of Camel-back Mountain (1904)
- Georgiana of the Rainbows (1920)
- The Little Colonel (1907)
- The Gate of the Giant Scissors (1920)
- All works by Annie Fellows Johnston