The Other Woman by Sherwood Anderson (1921)

This cigar store is going to be lit.

Unfortunately, I am still waiting for Sherwood Anderson to 'wow' me and it hasn't quite happened yet. Call it intuition, but it's merely a matter of time before I stumble upon one his short-stories that deeply resonates with me. When that moment arrives, I anticipate gaining a a more thorough understanding of why he is revered as one of the great short-story writers of the early 20th century. The talent is clearly there--the narrative flows seamlessly and Anderson's vivid sense of realism is on point. His portrayal of the psychological intricacies and struggles of ordinary people grappling with everyday challenges is well-conceived. Yet, there is something about his austere and restrained style of writing, which prevents me from getting excited about picking up another one of his stories. 

As might be evident by the title, "The Other Woman" focuses on the subject of infidelity and the protagonist's internal struggle after having an affair with a woman who works at a cigar store. Anderson effectively uses the framing narrative technique (a story within a story) that mainly serves two functions: a) creates narrative distance between the narrator and his friend and b) the reader is presented with a more objective perspective to form their own opinion regarding the moral conduct of the adulterer. It would be easy to judge this man for having the pre-wedding jitters and cheating on his fiancé. Since the narrator is relaying the story that the protagonist is telling him, the truth is not always so clear-cut. More importantly, we never get the other woman's perspective. By gaining more insight into his motivations and thought process as he grapples with the consequences of his actions, there's a subtle attempt to elicit sympathy. However, it's ultimately left to the reader to form their own judgment on the matter.

You can read this story HERE.