Sarah Orne Jewett was an acclaimed novelist and short story author, who drew inspiration from her birthplace for the characters and surroundings of her "domestic fiction."

From the author's preface: "This book is not wholly new, several of the chapters having already been published in the Atlantic Monthly. It has so often been asked if Deephaven may not be found on the map of New England under another name, that, to prevent any misunderstanding, I wish to say, while there is a likeness to be traced, few of the sketches are drawn from that town itself, and the characters will in almost every case be looked for there in vain."