Among the Rushes is a novel by Elizabeth Madox Roberts, first published in 1929. It tells the story of a young woman, Lizzie, who is living in a small Kentucky town in the early 1900s. Lizzie is a dreamer, and she longs to escape the confines of her small town and explore the world. She is also in love with a young man, but her family disapproves of him and she is unable to pursue her dreams. Lizzie's life is changed when a mysterious stranger arrives in town. He is a traveling salesman, and he brings with him a sense of adventure and possibility. Lizzie is drawn to him, and she begins to imagine a life beyond her small town. As she gets to know the stranger, she discovers that he is not who he seems, and she must decide whether to stay in her small town or take a chance on the unknown. The novel is a coming-of-age story, exploring themes of love, family, and identity. It is a lyrical and evocative portrait of a young woman's search for meaning and purpose in a world that often seems to be against her.
By Elizabeth Madox Roberts · First published 1922 · Genre: Southern Gothic, Realism, Historical Fiction