ABOUT THIS BOOK: MR. PETE & CO (1933) by Alice Hegan Rice is a warm, character-driven novel set in Louisville, Kentucky, following the life of Mr. Pete, a frail but lovable man cast aside by his socially ambitious family. After years of exile, he returns to the city upon inheriting his father’s old homestead — now a dilapidated tenement on the riverfront — only to find no welcome from relatives.

Seeking refuge from loneliness and unkindness, Mr. Pete takes up residence in the tenement on The Bend, a rough section of Louisville surrounded by city dumps, shacks, and shantyboats. There, he opens a junk shop, becoming both shopkeeper, landlord, and friend to his tenants and neighbors. Through his interactions, he becomes entangled in the intimate, often difficult, lives of those around him, offering compassion and support in a community marked by hardship.

The novel blends humor, empathy, and a sense of place, capturing the spirit of Louisville’s riverfront neighborhoods and the resilience of its people. It reflects Rice’s own deep connection to the city and her interest in portraying the lives of ordinary, often overlooked individuals.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Alice Hegan Rice, also known as Alice Caldwell Hegan, (January 11, 1870 – February 10, 1942) was an American novelist. Her 1901 novel Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch became a play and four films.

CONDITION: This vintage book is complete and intact in very good condition as evidenced by the photos. The covers are in good condition with some age-expected edge and corner wear. The inside covers are in very good condition, with no cracking or separation at the hinges. There are no bookplates, markings or writing on the inside covers or end papers The pages are in very good condition, the pages are crisp, all pages are tight to the binding. The spine is in good condition with some age-expected edge wear.

This vintage book comes from a smoke free home.

This is a nice vintage book that will be a nice addition to your collection.

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