A First Family of Tasajara: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
A First Family of Tasajara: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

A First Family of Tasajara is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Harte, Bret (1836–1902).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"A First Family of Tasajara" by Bret Harte is a novel written in the late 19th century that explores themes of ambition, desperation, and the complexities of life in a small frontier community. The narrative centers around the inhabitants of Sidon, a struggling settlement, and particularly the character of Elijah Curtis, who finds himself in dire circumstances, leading to a series of interconnected events that involve local figures and the potential for opportunity through a new railroad. The opening of the novel introduces a stormy night at the Sidon general store, where a group of men engage in languid conversation about the dreary state of their lives and community. Among them is Mr. Harkutt, the store owner, who interacts with the varied personalities that populate Sidon, touching on topics like the prospect of road construction and the drunken ‘Lige Curtis. The atmosphere is thick with both physical and emotional winds of change, foreshadowing a dramatic turn when ‘Lige arrives, desperate to sell his land and seemingly on the brink of self-destruction. The interaction hints at larger societal themes while establishing the characters’ relationships and motivations, setting the stage for the unfolding drama in Tasajara.
Book and edition facts
- Title: A First Family of Tasajara
- Author credits: Harte, Bret (1836–1902)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- American fiction -- 19th century
- California -- Fiction
- Contra Costa County (Calif.) -- Fiction
- Western stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


