The Crusade of the Excelsior vs Wayside Courtships: Which Should You Read?

The Crusade of the Excelsior Bret Harte · 1887 ★★★★☆ 3.7 250 pages · ≈ 4 h 38 m · Demanding

The speaker, though apparently more at his ease at sea, was in dress and appearance fully as unnautical as Banks. As he leaned over the railing, his white, close-fitting trousers and small patent-leather boots gave him…

Wayside Courtships Hamlin Garland · 1897 ★★★★☆ 3.8 281 pages · ≈ 5 h 12 m · Challenging

The train drew out of the great Van Buren Street depot at 4. 30 of a dark day in late October. A tall young man, with a timid look in his eyes, was almost the last one to get on, and his pale face wore a worried look as…