Characterized by Joyce Carol Oates as the most unpretentious masterpiece of the American literary tradition, The Dollmaker is a novel by Harriete Arnow that was published in 1954 and proved to be a pathbreaking novel. This novel was nominated for a National Book Award in 1955, a year after it was published. It is known for the intensity of the characterization that is fostered within the plot of this book.
This novel narrates the tale of the migration of protagonist Gertie Nevels and her family from her homeland during the period of the World War II. The story begins with the protagonist struggling to find a doctor and leads on to trace her adventures and ordeals. It amalgamates the ideals of Social Realism and realistically depicts working class lives.
