Bright Young Things discussion

I'm so excited today to know that a lost Edith Wharton Play has been unearthed in a Texas archive...

https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

Not sure if this is just for the US but Library of America is offering a free ebook of her Wharton's 1923 A Son at the Front.

Apparently when the First World War broke out all the other expats raced for home, but she stayed. Going to hospitals, visiting the front, etc. The basis of the story was of an ex-pat who had a son born in France and he got called up to defend France. More about the home life than actual battles. It received mixed reviews in 1923. One, in particular, said this would have been a great book in 1913, 1915 or 1917 but no one wanted to read about the war anymore. Others said, sales or no sales, it was still a fine book and made her a master writer.

I have read a couple of her WWI short stories, one a little better than the other, but they weren't bad. So, I have downoaded this book.

Oops - I forgot. This offer is good until October 5.

Thanks for the info Ally and Jan. : )

I don't know that much about her and didn't know that she wrote plays, but liked The House of Mirth. I must read more by her.

Interesting that this thread is so short with just 3 posts!!!! No Wharton fans in BYT? In my experience it seems as if readers either love or dislike her works. I'm not sure why that is? Has any of Wharton's works been on the "menu" over the last few years?

The Age of Innocence was read, I think. I know I had hoped to finish it but it still lies unfinished on my shelves.

I read one of her WWI short stories and enjoyed it. Not sure if I enjoyed the second, because I don't think I finished it.

Jan is quite correct....

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I've read 3 books by Wharton and The Age of Innocence was actually my least favorite. I quite enjoyed The Glimpses of the Moon and the short story Xingu. I would be interested in trying another with the group.

Me too!

Haaze wrote: "Interesting that this thread is so short with just 3 posts!!!! No Wharton fans in BYT? In my experience it seems as if readers either love or dislike her works. I'm not sure why that is? Has any of..."
Below was my review of Wharton's House of Mirth. Posted in 1917.

A brilliant, artistic work that belongs in the company of Hemingway & Fitzgerald at their best. If the author can get me to care about a New York society woman who's not as rich as her friends she's created magic. The characters are memorable, the settings deliciously related and the language is magnificent. One of those books you never want to end. Check my reviews. I doubt you'll find many five-star ratings. But this is special.
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Lynaia wrote: "I've read 3 books by Wharton and The Age of Innocence was actually my least favorite. I quite enjoyed The Glimpses of the Moon and the short story Xingu. I..."

Try House of Mirth. Brilliant, absorbing.

Has anyone here read “Customs of the Country”? So. Good.

I haven’t read Age of Innocence yet, but I have read “House of Mirth”, “Customs of the Country”, “The Reef”, and “A Son at the Front”. I loved all of them. I listened to the audiobook of “House of Mirth” and it got me hooked. It was so good and I immediately looked for more Edith Wharton. I have loved all the books I have read so far. Does anyone know if there is a biography written about her? I know she created a writer’s residence -I think- in Vermont to encourage other writers.

I will definitely look for More of her books. And hopefully a biography about her, if I can find one.

Hermione Lee has a biography of her, Edith Wharton. I've not read it.

I am still struggling with The Age of Innocence. Otherwise, I have just read a couple of short stories she wrote in WWI when she was in France.