Today in Bookish and Literary History, January 13

 1883 An Enemy of the People by Henrik Ibsen - Norway

"An Enemy of the People" is Henrik Ibsen's classic drama of the animosity that can befall someone whose actions, while in the best interest of the public good, threaten the economic well being of a community.

1895 An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde - Ireland

An Ideal Husband is an 1895 comedic stage play by Oscar Wilde which revolves around blackmail and political corruption, and touches on the themes of public and private honour.

1910 Deirdre of the Sorrows by John Millington Synge - Ireland

The story begins with Conchubor charging Lavarcham with raising Deirdre to be his queen, but she is a willful girl with no interest in marrying an old man. When she was born, Cathbad the druid prophesied that she would be very beautiful, with twisted yellow tresses and mesmerizing grey-green eyes, but that kings and lords would go to war over her, and Ulster's three greatest warriors would be forced into exile for her sake. Deirdre is aware of the prophecy that she will be the doom of the sons of Usna, but nonetheless she asks Naisi to take her away from Ulster. He agrees, and Ainnle weds them in an impromptu ceremony.

1957 All that Fall by Samuel Beckett - Ireland

First broadcast as a radio play, Samuel Beckett's absurd one-act drama centers on 70 year old Maddy as she journeys "Brighton Road to Foxrock station" and back again. It's a strenuous trip for the old woman as she encounters the people of her village. The train is delayed and she begins to panic - and a terrible secret is revealed.

2015 The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins - UK

Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning and night. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple having breakfast on their deck. She's even started to feel like she knows them. Jess and Jason, she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

2022 Sticker by Henry Hoke - US

A memoir in 20 stickers, Sticker is set against the backdrop of the encroaching neo-fascist presence in Hoke's hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia, which results in the fatal terrorist attack of August 12th and its national aftermath.

2026 Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash - US

Rippling with humor, warmth, and style, Lost Lambs is a new vision of the charms and pitfalls of family dysfunction.

2026 Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston - US

Two women. One dead husband. And only one alibi.

2026 Woman Down by Colleen Hoover - US

In this twisty thriller from New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a frustrated author looks for her muse in a remote hideaway, but what she finds defies all expectations…and reality.