Now in November

Now in November is a 1934 novel by Josephine Johnson. It received the Pulitzer Prize for the Novel in 1935.^[1]

Now in November

First edition
Author	Josephine Johnson
Language	English
Publisher	Simon & Schuster
Publication date	1934
Publication place	United States
Media type	Print (Hardcover)
Pages	231 pp. (1st edition hardcover)

Synopsis

The story is narrated by Marget, the middle of three sisters in the Haldmarne family. After her father loses his job, the family (who were once middle-class urbanites) moved to a mortgaged farm in a drought-stricken region of the Midwest. The novel spans a single year in narrative timeframe, but reflects introspection and recalled memories on a decade of hardship, as the family struggled to survive amid environmental devastation, economic collapse, and emotional turmoil.

The farm, meant to be a new beginning, becomes a site of relentless labor and despair. The family is ill-equipped for agricultural life, and the worsening drought makes their efforts increasingly futile. Each sister, Marget, Merle, and Kerrin, has a distinct personality, and their differences create tension and emotional distance. Kerrin, in particular, suffers from mental health issues that strain the family further.

As the seasons pass, the narrative delves into themes of poverty, isolation, love, loss, and the human connection to nature. The prose is poetic and introspective, often reflecting Marget's internal struggles and the family's slow unraveling. The novel culminates in tragedy, underscoring the devastating impact of environmental and economic forces on individual lives.