"The Monster and Other Stories" by Stephen Crane is a collection published in 1899. The title novella follows Henry Johnson, an African-American coachman who becomes grotesquely disfigured after heroically rescuing his employer's son from a fire. When the townspeople of Whilomville brand Henry a "monster," Dr. Trescott's determination to care for him triggers the community's rejection of his entire family. This powerful work explores prejudice, fear, and the true meaning of monstrosity in small-town America, reflecting the era's deep social and racial tensions. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
These books are free to read. Each is in the public domain in the United States; check your own country's rules before you copy or share one.
