The Whole Family

About “The Whole Family”

The Whole Family is a 1908 collaborative novel told in twelve chapters, each written by a different author. The project was conceived by William Dean Howells and directed by Elizabeth Jordan, who was the editor of Harper's Bazaar at the time. Howells wanted to examine how an entire family might influence and be influenced by a marriage. The novel reflects the complex relationships among its authors, with each chapter focusing on a different family member. The contributors include Mary E. Wilkins Freeman, Mary Heaton Vorse, Henry James, and others. Each chapter offers a distinct perspective on family dynamics.