Ethan Frome
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'Edith Wharton is unique in the intimacy and sureness, not to mention the virile and satiric tone, with which she investigates this narrow and declining society' TLS 'Wharton's prose, with its menacing images of death and darkness, is superb. First published in 1911, it remains a hauntingly stark masterpiece' IRISH TIMES
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
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IRISH TIMES
'Wharton's prose, with its menacing images of death and darkness, is superb...'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Ethan Frome is a farmer in Starkfield, Massachusetts, at the beginning of the 20th century. He is unhappily married to Zenobia (Zeena), a suspicious, hypochondriac, bitter, narrow-minded, ignorant and discontented woman. He is strongly attracted to Zeena's cousin Mattie Silver who shares their household and is entrusted with all the chores which Zeena refuses to do. Ethan's tragic fate begins when Zeena peremptorily decides that they need a "hired girl" which would of course imply Mattie's departure since the Fromes don't have the means to employ two girls.
A novel of great intensity with its slow developing tragedy and characters plunging towards their destiny. The author's masterful economy of language vividly renders the oppressive "silent ache" that permanently hinders communication between Ethan and Zeena. The vision of the three main characters is done in an almost cinematic way as they are trapped indoors in the severe Massachusetts winter. The narrative pattern is original too since the whole plot is told by an unnamed narrator who met the taciturn Ethan many years after the events he is about to tell us. The reader has moments of doubt when the narrator tells a story in all details and long passages of dialogue he could not possibly have known or heard during his meeting with Ethan. But Edith Wharton's extraordinary craft makes the story break away from the contingencies of the frame and it comes to moving life for the reader. A superb novel, one of the finest and most intense narratives in the history of American literature.
A novel of great intensity with its slow developing tragedy and characters plunging towards their destiny. The author's masterful economy of language vividly renders the oppressive "silent ache" that permanently hinders communication between Ethan and Zeena. The vision of the three main characters is done in an almost cinematic way as they are trapped indoors in the severe Massachusetts winter. The narrative pattern is original too since the whole plot is told by an unnamed narrator who met the taciturn Ethan many years after the events he is about to tell us. The reader has moments of doubt when the narrator tells a story in all details and long passages of dialogue he could not possibly have known or heard during his meeting with Ethan. But Edith Wharton's extraordinary craft makes the story break away from the contingencies of the frame and it comes to moving life for the reader. A superb novel, one of the finest and most intense narratives in the history of American literature.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Once again, Wharton returns to the inexhaustible subject of sexual love. This is a gripping and poignant story of an intense, forbidden but overpowering passion set against the murderous cold of a New England winter. Vivid, atmospheric, and full of Wharton's insights into the mysteries of the human heart. (I never give 5 stars, but I give this 4.)
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton is one of the most tragic novels I have ever read. Although it was tragic, it left a major impact on me, like most tragic novels do. I never thought I would encounter another book as depressing as Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, but Ethan Frome most certainly was. This novel expresses the power of love and what love will do to one's actions. The actions of the two main characters, Ethan Frome and Mattie Silver may appear shocking and foolish to the reader, but eventually the reader can acknowledge the fact that love makes one desperate; desperate enough to what ever it takes to attain love. This is a story of a simple man who desperately wants true love, but who eventually realizes love is hopeless. Ethan Frome's love for Mattie Silver causes the two to partake in an unthinkable act. I would love to share the ending of this novel, but it's an experience one should do on their own. Read this book and it will leave an impact on you and when you look back at this book you will almost feel the pain and isolation of the two characters. Alfred Kazin once stated, "For love to really be love, it must be forbidden, it must fail, it must carry the doomed lovers down with it." Edith Wharton uses this theme, illicit love to present "a drama of irresistible necessity."
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A delight! A classic that should be better known
What a gem! I found this when browsing to stock up my new Kindle, and despite being fairly well read had never come across it before. Read more
Published 3 months ago by G Hughes
A Superb American Tragedy
Ethan Frome is the tale of a Massachusetts farmer, his unhappy marriage to Zenobia, and his love for her cousin, Mattie Silver, who lives with them as a housemaid. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Calypso
Unforgettable...
One of my all-time favourite novels, this beautifully written, spare tale of wasted lives and lost dreams has stayed with me for many years. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Owlette2008
Ethan Frome is a man you will feel sorry for
Very sad and depressing book. But this is not Edith Wharton's best work, I enjoyed the age of innocence better. Read more
Published 24 months ago by Modupe Oriyomi
Mesmerising
I am completely and utterly in love with Edith Wharton! This is the second of her books that I have read in as many weeks and I don't know what kept me from her for so long. Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2009 by Boof
We shall neve rbe alone again like this
Edith Wharton filled her novels with a feeling of ruin, passion and restriction. People can fall in love, but rarely do things turn out well. Read more
Published on 16 Jan 2009 by E. A Solinas
A Heartbreaking Tale of Passion.
The short story of an illicit love affair between the introspective Ethan Frome and the bright and vivacious, Mattie Silver, is beautifully told and thoroughly absorbing. Read more
Published on 8 Feb 2000 by J. Wright
Short But Not So Sweet
This novelette by Edith Wharton is cleverly written and packed with effective literary devices to liven up the plot. Read more
Published on 12 Mar 1999
Twisty plot!
Poor Ethan Frome must endure a complaining "ill" wife, Zena, who is quite crafty and evil underneath her weak exterior. Read more
Published on 26 Oct 1997
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