An unmarried father: A novel: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
An unmarried father: A novel: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
An unmarried father: A novel is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Dell, Floyd (1887–1969).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"An Unmarried Father" by Floyd Dell is a novel written in the early 20th century. It follows Norman Overbeck, a young Midwestern lawyer whose past affair with art student Isabel Drury yields a child, thrusting him into a conflict between love, duty, and reputation as he weighs marriage, adoption, and the claims of art versus domestic life. The story probes gender roles, secrecy, and moral responsibility with a modern, conversational sharpness. The opening of the novel shows Norman in Vickley receiving a guarded letter from Dr. Martha Zerneke of a Chicago child‑adoption society, prompting fears of scandal as he’s newly engaged and under his eminent father’s eye. Seeking counsel, he and the seasoned lawyer Gilbert Rand deduce the timing points to Isabel, and they travel to Chicago. After a strained encounter with the painter Springer, Norman meets Dr. Zerneke, who confirms Isabel has had a healthy baby boy and seeks only medical records to facilitate a confidential adoption, reminding him he has no legal claim. Norman brings flowers to Isabel in the hospital; she refuses his impulsive proposal, insists her life is painting, and plans to go to Paris, asserting adoption is best for the child despite his unease. He sees the infant, hears her cool logic about motherhood, and then wanders the Art Institute wrestling with art versus life before Gilbert urges a quiet return home. Still troubled, Norman revisits Zerneke to question the adoption, contemplates a donation, and leaves haunted by anxious visions of his unknown son.
Book and edition facts
- Title: An unmarried father: A novel
- Author credits: Dell, Floyd (1887–1969)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Chicago (Ill.) -- Fiction
- Father and child -- Fiction
- Illegitimate children -- Fiction
- Men -- Conduct of life -- Fiction
- Unmarried fathers -- Fiction
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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.
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