This novel explores the tension between material wealth and spiritual values through the story of a wealthy businessman who becomes disillusioned with his life and sets out to find a more meaningful existence. He travels to Europe where he meets a group of people living simple, self-sufficient lives in harmony with nature. The protagonist is drawn into their community and begins to adopt their way of life, but ultimately returns home to reconcile his past and present selves.
By Henry Van Dyke · First published 1901 · Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Pastoral, Literary Fiction