Bitter-Sweet: A Poem: Poetry Guide and Free Edition
Bitter-Sweet: A Poem: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Bitter-Sweet: A Poem is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Holland, J. G. (Josiah Gilbert) (1819–1881).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Bitter-Sweet: A Poem" by J. G. Holland is a poetic exploration written in the late 19th century, likely reflecting the philosophical and spiritual questions prevalent during that period. The work delves into themes of faith and doubt, offering a narrative interwoven with personal and familial relationships against the backdrop of seasonal transitions, particularly a Thanksgiving celebration in a Puritan family setting. The main character, Israel, serves as the patriarch whose reflections on suffering, joy, faith, and the acceptance of God's will frame the discourse among the family members. The opening of "Bitter-Sweet" sets a somber yet contemplative scene during a fierce winter storm, where a Thanksgiving gathering unfolds in an old farmhouse. The narrative introduces Israel and his children, including the spirited Ruth, who challenges traditional beliefs about faith and suffering. Dialogue among characters reveals a tension between the need for belief in a good, just God and the reality of life's hardships, illustrated through personal anecdotes and theological debates. As they navigate their thoughts on joy intertwined with pain, the reader is invited to reflect on the complexity of human emotions and the bittersweet nature of existence itself.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Bitter-Sweet: A Poem
- Author credits: Holland, J. G. (Josiah Gilbert) (1819–1881)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- American poetry -- 19th century
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Poetry
- Category: Religion/Spirituality
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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.


