David Harum

David Harum is a book by Edward Noyes Westcott, first published in 1898. This classic American novel blends small-town realism with gentle satire, centring on the shrewd yet warm-hearted horse trader and banker, David Harum, in the fictional town of Homeville, New York. Through his dealings in business and friendship, the story paints a vivid portrait of rural American life at the turn of the twentieth century.

At its core, the novel explores themes of integrity, common sense, and the moral codes that underpin community life. David Harum, outwardly blunt and full of homespun sayings, proves to be a figure of surprising generosity and wisdom. His relationship with a young, struggling clerk provides both humour and emotional depth, offering readers a character-driven narrative rich in period detail and social observation.

Edward Noyes Westcott, an American banker himself, drew on his professional experience to create an authentic portrayal of finance, negotiation, and personal honour in small-town America. The result is a work of classic American literature that combines humour, regional dialect, and moral reflection. For readers interested in historical fiction, late nineteenth-century American novels, and stories of rural community life, David Harum remains an engaging and insightful read.