Edith Wharton discussion

Hey there! I just picked this up from B&N (Ahh to be in a bookstore again). I haven't ever read it as anytime I need a Wharton fix, I tend to go to the Buccaneers or the Age of Innocence.

I am hoping I am going to love it. The copy I have also has some other selected works in it, so I'm super excited to get started, once I've waded through a few other projects first.

Just as a warning... if you've ever read Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe...you're looking at about that level of hilarity.

ah.. good to know.. Thanks so much! It is going to be a bit before I can get to it, but I figure it's about time.

Does anyone want to talk about Ethan Frome and his relationship with his wife and with Mattie?

Michaela wrote: "Does anyone want to talk about Ethan Frome and his relationship with his wife and with Mattie?"

I am reading Ethan Frome right now. I think I have mixed emotions so far for the characters in this book. Although I feel sorry for Ethan for his utter loneliness I can't seem to condone his behavior with Mattie because he is still married. The grass is of course always greener on the other side.

I like Ethan Frome, but to me it's such a high school book: approximately 100 pages, three levels of narration, the obvious symbolism with the pickle dish and the snow, the ironic ending, the curious ellipses....

It's good, but definitely not Edith's best. If you like her New England stuff, Summer is much, much better (and may be her best novel).

I know The Fruit of the Tree is also a New England novel. I have a copy, but have not had time to read it. Has anyone else? Thoughts?

I found Ethan Frome extremely depressing.