Donald Harington is an American author best known for his Southern Gothic novels. His most famous work, 'With', is a sprawling epic set in the Ozarks, exploring themes of family, religion, and the supernatural. Harington's distinctive style blends dark humor with profound psychological insight, earning him critical acclaim within the literary community.
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In the isolated Ozark village of Stay More, a botched abduction inadvertently creates a strange, yet peaceful, new world for its inhabitants.
Synopsis
When a seemingly straightforward abduction goes awry, the lives of a young woman named With and her eccentric captor, Latha, become inextricably linked in the isolated Arkansas Ozarks. Latha, a recluse with a peculiar philosophy and a unique way of life, brings With to his remote homestead, intending to keep her as his companion. However, With, far from being a conventional victim, gradually adapts to her new, bizarre circumstances, and Latha's initial intentions morph into something more profound than mere captivity. Together, they inadvertently forge a self-sufficient, peaceable kingdom, a micro-society built on Latha's unconventional rules and With's surprising resilience, all while remaining blissfully unaware of the outside world's existence or the chaos they left behind. Their peculiar bond and isolated existence challenge traditional notions of freedom, family, and the very definition of a 'normal' life.
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Whimsical, contemplative, quirky, isolated, philosophical
Plot Summary
The Abduction of Withrowee
The story starts when Withrowee, a young woman from the Ozark village of Stay More, is taken by a group of strange, isolated men called the 'Wilder Men.' They want to bring a woman into their all-male community, which they call 'With,' to have children. But the abduction goes wrong. Withrowee is not a scared victim; she quickly shows her strong will and intelligence. She is not a passive captive but an active participant, watching her captors carefully. Her initial fear soon turns into curiosity and a practical look at her new, strange situation, leading to her remarkable entry into their lives.
Arrival at 'With'
When Withrowee arrives at 'With,' a secluded settlement deep in the Ozark wilderness, she finds a community unlike any she has known. The 'Wilder Men' are a varied group of hermits, outcasts, and oddballs, each with his own past and personality. They live a simple, self-sufficient life, mostly cut off from the outside world. Withrowee, at first a stranger, begins to learn their customs, their language (a unique Ozark English dialect), and their individual quirks. Her presence immediately disrupts the established order, as the men, who have lived without women for decades, struggle to adapt to her and their original reason for taking her.
Withrowee's Integration and Influence
Instead of fighting or trying to escape, Withrowee begins to join the community of 'With,' changing it in quiet but important ways. She brings in order, hygiene, and domesticity that were missing before. She teaches the men basic manners, improves their diet, and even starts to educate them, reading from the few books they have. Her intelligence, resourcefulness, and calm way earn their respect, slowly changing how they see her from just a 'female' to an essential member of their society. Her influence goes beyond practical matters; she starts to soften their rough edges and create a sense of community.
The Question of Procreation
The 'Wilder Men' first took Withrowee to continue their family line. As time passes and Withrowee becomes an important part of 'With,' the question of having children comes up again. This delicate issue is handled with awkwardness, biological necessity, and an unexpected respect from the men. Withrowee, always practical, understands their wish but handles the situation with both compassion and self-preservation. The novel explores the complexities of consent, desire, and the making of a new kind of family in these unusual circumstances, without easy answers. Her choices become key to the community's future.
The Outside World Intrudes
Even in their remote spot, the peace of 'With' is eventually threatened by the outside world. Rumors of a 'lost girl' from Stay More start to spread, and search parties sometimes go into the nearby wilderness. The 'Wilder Men' become more watchful, their desire for isolation growing. This outside pressure forces Withrowee and the men to face the reality of their unique arrangement and think about its long-term future. The threat of being found shows how fragile their constructed peace is and tests the loyalty and bonds that have formed between Withrowee and her unusual companions. They must decide how to protect their home.
The Nature of 'With'
Withrowee's presence changes not only the men but also the identity of their settlement. She names their community 'With,' reflecting her own name and the growing sense of togetherness and shared life. This naming solidifies their collective identity, making them more than just a group of recluses, but a recognized, though secret, community. She introduces traditions and rituals, further strengthening their unique culture. The 'Wilder Men' begin to see themselves not just as individual hermits, but as members of 'With,' connected by their shared experience and their link to Withrowee, who has become their leader and matriarch.
The Passing of Time and Generations
The story of 'With' happens over several years, showing the slow development of the community. Withrowee's children are born, creating a new generation in the isolated settlement. These children grow up knowing only the unique world of 'With,' raised by a group of 'fathers' and their intelligent, kind mother. Time brings both happiness and sadness, as some of the older 'Wilder Men' die, and the younger ones grow up. The novel looks at life's cycles, the strength of human connection, and the lasting impact of Withrowee's influence on this extraordinary, self-contained society. The community adapts and thrives.
Withrowee's Leadership
As years pass, Withrowee becomes the clear matriarch and leader of 'With.' Her practical wisdom, foresight, and calm way make her the main decision-maker for the community. She settles disagreements, plans for the future, and ensures everyone's well-being, including her children and the aging 'Wilder Men.' Her leadership is not bossy but collaborative, built on mutual respect and affection. She is the spirit of 'With,' keeping its peace and isolation while helping it grow. Her ability to handle complex social situations and practical problems ensures the community's survival and success.
The Legacy of 'With'
The story ends by looking at the lasting impact of 'With' and the extraordinary life Withrowee made. The community, born from a strange abduction, becomes an example of human adaptability, the power of connection, and the chance to create a different way of life. Withrowee's children and grandchildren carry on her spirit, showing a mix of Ozark wisdom and her own intelligence. The novel makes the reader think about family, home, and what a 'civilized' life means, suggesting that true happiness can be found in the most unexpected places. Its existence remains a secret.
The Searchers' Folly
Over the years, various people and officials from Stay More and beyond try to find Withrowee, who is thought to be lost or dead. These searches are always stopped by the wilderness, the cleverness of the 'Wilder Men,' and the community's own efforts to stay hidden. The searchers often misunderstand clues, get lost, or simply give up, unable to grasp that a thriving society exists so close yet completely cut off. This ongoing failure of the outside world to find 'With' highlights its deep isolation and the success of its people in making their own destiny, undisturbed by outside judgment.
Principal Figures
Withrowee
The Protagonist
Withrowee transforms from an abducted maiden into the revered matriarch and de facto leader of a unique, self-sustaining community, finding agency and purpose in an extraordinary situation.
L.D. Jones
The Supporting
L.D. evolves from a participant in a crude abduction to one of Withrowee's most loyal and respectful companions, recognizing her innate leadership and wisdom.
Brother Joe
The Supporting
Brother Joe maintains his spiritual eccentricities but finds a new focus for his devotion in the evolving community and Withrowee's leadership, becoming a spiritual anchor.
The Children of Withrowee
The Supporting
The children are born into and grow up within the unique culture of 'With,' becoming the living embodiment of its continuity and future.
The Narrator (implied)
The Supporting
The narrator's 'arc' is in the gradual revelation and comprehensive detailing of the world of 'With,' constructing its history and mythos for the reader.
The Stay More Community
The Antagonistic/Supporting
The Stay More community remains largely static in its perception of Withrowee's disappearance, serving as a constant, albeit distant, reminder of the world 'With' is hidden from.
The Wilder Men (collective)
The Supporting
The collective transforms from a disparate group of reclusive abductors into a cohesive, albeit unconventional, family unit, guided and softened by Withrowee's matriarchal influence.
Grandpa Lute
The Supporting
Grandpa Lute, as one of the oldest, witnesses the profound transformation of 'With' under Withrowee's guidance, accepting her as a new source of wisdom for the community.
Themes & Insights
The Nature of Civilization and Community
The novel explores what truly makes a 'civilized' society. The 'Wilder Men' are at first seen as uncivilized, but Withrowee's integration shows that civilization is not just about comfort but about order, respect, communication, and shared purpose. The community of 'With,' despite its isolation and unusual start, becomes a more harmonious and functional society than many traditional ones. It suggests that real community comes from shared experience, mutual respect, and creating a unique culture, rather than following outside societal rules.
“It was Withrowee who understood that a place needed a name to truly be a place, and a people needed a name to truly be a people.”
Adaptation and Resilience
Withrowee's story is about human adaptability and resilience. Taken and placed in a completely foreign environment, she does not give up but adapts, learns, and eventually thrives. Her ability to assess her situation practically and to find agency in extreme circumstances is central to the story. The 'Wilder Men' also adapt, changing from crude recluses to a functioning family unit under Withrowee's influence. The theme highlights humanity's ability to not only survive but to create meaning and happiness in the most unexpected and challenging situations.
“She had fallen into a world without women and had, by her very presence, begun to create one.”
The Power of the Feminine
The novel deeply explores the transformative power of the feminine. Withrowee's arrival in an all-male, rough community brings order, cleanliness, domesticity, and emotional balance. She softens the men, teaches them, and provides the nurturing needed for the community's continuation and growth. Her intelligence, compassion, and practical skills are essential for 'With' to survive and flourish. This theme is not about female superiority but about the essential, complementary role of the feminine in creating a complete and lasting human society, emphasizing its capacity for creation, nurturing, and cultural refinement.
“Before Withrowee, there was only a collection of men. After Withrowee, there was With.”
Isolation vs. Connection
A main tension in the novel is the balance between isolation and human connection. The 'Wilder Men' initially seek extreme isolation, but taking Withrowee reveals a deep need for connection and continuity. While 'With' stays isolated from the outside world, it builds strong internal connections, forming a close-knit, though unusual, family. The novel suggests that while isolation can offer peace and freedom from societal limits, true human flourishing needs meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging, even if those connections are made in the most unusual situations. The community's survival depends on its internal bonds.
“They had fled the world to find themselves, but it was Withrowee who showed them how to truly live, with one another.”
The Ozark Identity and Folklore
Donald Harington's work is rich in the culture, dialect, and stories of the Arkansas Ozarks, and 'With' is no different. The novel celebrates and examines the region's unique identity, its traditions of self-sufficiency, its distinct language, and its often-eccentric people. The 'Wilder Men' embody a certain kind of Ozark reclusiveness, while Withrowee shows the resilience and resourcefulness often found in its people. The story itself often sounds like Ozark storytelling, giving the book a strong sense of place and cultural authenticity, making 'With' feel like a legendary tale from the region's history.
“The hills hold their secrets close, and some folks are just as good at keeping them.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Unreliable Abduction
A kidnapping that defies conventional victim narratives.
The initial abduction of Withrowee serves as a pivotal plot device, but it is rendered 'unreliable' in the sense that it immediately subverts reader expectations. Instead of a horrific ordeal, it quickly becomes a catalyst for Withrowee's agency and the formation of a unique society. The 'Wilder Men' are comically inept, and Withrowee's reaction is one of pragmatic assessment rather than terror. This device immediately establishes the novel's unconventional tone and its exploration of moral ambiguity, setting up a narrative where a seemingly negative event leads to unexpected positive outcomes and a redefinition of what constitutes 'captivity' or 'freedom.'
The Isolated Community
A self-contained society cut off from the outside world.
The device of an isolated community is central to 'With,' allowing Harington to explore themes of social construction, human nature, and alternative ways of living without the constant interference of conventional society. The physical remoteness of 'With' allows for the development of its unique culture, language, and social dynamics, unburdened by external judgments or rules. This isolation creates a microcosm where the fundamental needs and desires of humanity can be examined in a raw, unadulterated form, highlighting the resilience of human connection and the power of a shared identity to create a functioning 'peaceable kingdom' outside the norm.
Dialect and Vernacular
The rich, distinctive language of the Ozarks.
Harington's masterful use of Ozark dialect and vernacular is a significant plot device, immersing the reader in the specific cultural world of the novel. The unique speech patterns, vocabulary, and grammatical constructions of the 'Wilder Men' and the narrator not only lend authenticity but also serve to characterize the inhabitants of 'With' and their connection to the land. This linguistic detail creates a barrier between 'With' and the outside world, emphasizing its isolation, while simultaneously drawing the reader into its intimate, distinct reality. It makes the world of 'With' feel tangible and deeply rooted in its specific geographical and cultural context.
Matriarchal Transformation
The presence of one woman fundamentally alters an entire male community.
The device of matriarchal transformation is critical to the novel's core message. Withrowee's singular presence in an all-male society acts as a catalyst for profound change. Her intelligence, domestic skills, and nurturing capabilities bring order, purpose, and a future to the 'Wilder Men' who were previously living a chaotic, stagnant existence. This device demonstrates the essential role of the feminine in creating a balanced and sustainable society, highlighting how one individual, through sheer force of personality and capability, can reshape an entire community, turning a group of recluses into a functioning, loving family unit with a clear path forward.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
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"With" is a fantasy novel set in the mythical village of Stay More, Arkansas. It tells the story of a bizarre abduction that goes wrong, ultimately leading to the creation of a peaceable kingdom in isolation.
