Maggie: a Girl of the Streets

Stephen Crane (November 1, 1871 ? June 5, 1900) was an American novelist, short story writer, poet and journalist who wrote prolifically in his short life, becoming one of the best writers in the genres of Realism and Naturalism. Like Ambrose Bierce, Crane wrote often about war, inspired in part by his time spent as a war correspondent. One of his admirers was none other than Ernest Hemingway, who was influenced heavily by Crane?s style.

Maggie: A Girl of the Streets was Crane's first novel, and a prime example of what scholars call the Naturalist movement. Its gritty and realistic depiction of a family with all kinds of troubles at home was considered controversial in its time, but it's now acknowledged as a classic.