`It was not so much his great height that marked him ... it was the careless powerful look that he had, in spite of a lameness checking each step like the jerk of a chain.' Set against the bleak winter landscape of New England, Ethan Frome tells the story of a poor farmer, lonely and downtrodden, his wife Zeena, and her cousin, the enchanting Mattie Silver. In the playing out of this short novel's powerful and engrossing drama, Edith Wharton constructed her least characteristic and most celebrated book. In its unyielding and shocking pessimism, its bleak demonstration of tragic waste, it is a masterpiece of psychological and emotional realism. In her introduction the distinguished critic Elaine Showalter discusses the background to the novel's composition and the reasons for its enduring success.
Ethan Frome
and over 1.5 million other books are available for Amazon Kindle . Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. Learn more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, and more.
Product Description
Review
'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
edition.
Book Description
Cambridge Literature is a series of literary texts edited for study by students 14-18 years old in English-speaking classrooms.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By HORAK
Format:Mass Market 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.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Peter Reeve
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
"Ethan Frome" is a novel carved from black ice. It is a tragedy unalleviated by humour, with nothing to ease the iron grip of a malign Fate. Superbly written, uncompromisingly tragic, full of striking and memorable winter landscape imagery, with an ending that is unexpected and thought-provoking, it is undeniably great literature. I just felt that the profound sadness of the tale somehow compromised the artistic integrity. Edith Wharton experienced much sorrow in her own life and I think this somewhat narrowed her vision. So be prepared for a novel that will move you, impress you and stay with you, but is not likely to put a smile on your face or a spring in your step!
In the same vein, look for Gillian Anderson's astonishing performance in the film version of Wharton's "The House of Mirth" (a misnomer if ever there was). Not always easy to take, it is tragic acting at its brilliant best.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, is perhaps the most tragic novel I have had the pleasure to read. Athlough suprisingly short, Wharton manages to create an intricate and complex plot, extreme depth of character and a sensitive yet shocking sense of reality. Altough as much a 'sign of the times' as 'The Age of Innocence' the central theme of this novel is the contempory relationships between the characters and the prinicipal interest is the often bizare mix of betray and intense loyalty portrayed. When the climax comes at the end of the text, the contained emotions of Ethan and Mattie are allowed release, the consequences manefested in disasterous and shocking results. The novel's conclusion is doused with irony and both emotional and physical desolation. It was certainly not written as a 'feel good' novel, but Wharton's delicate, yet brutal portrayal of the close relationships of the three central characters, I believe makes it a must read.
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 377 reviews
3.9 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Poignant
The book grabs you from the start and you want to find out what happened to Ethan Frome, great writing and an enjoyable, if short book. Read more
Published 1 month ago by eric rambler
4.0 out of 5 stars
Gripping story
A beautifully written though sad story of a man's attempt to lead his life his own way. and the tragic outcome of that effort.
Published 1 month ago by Gail M. Whyte
3.0 out of 5 stars
Glum
I found this book was a very glum tale.
There was some lovely descriptions in it.
I am unsure about further reading.
There was some lovely descriptions in it.
I am unsure about further reading.
Published 2 months ago by Mrs Gina M Hague
5.0 out of 5 stars
A gripping story.
I had neither heard of this book or the author - it was a recommended read for our book group. It was clear from the beginning that it was to be a grim story. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Bigton walker
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ethan Frome by E. Wharton
Very good and so sad. Fairly gloomy. Reflects the sad state of the poor in Victorian England. Wharton writes good stories.
Published 3 months ago by Nicky
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good read
A very well written book which uses few words to make you really feel that you are there. A tersely written and well observed piece.
Published 5 months ago by Kia Jackson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Wharton
This tragic story is beautifully told. One of Wharton's best it tells the story of Ethan Frome and his doomed love.
Published 5 months ago by J. Radford
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ethan Frome
Excellent book. It is very atmospheric and conveys the frigid winters of North America.Very intense relationships when locked in together during winters hardships
Published 6 months ago by george e
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic read.
Sparely written, atmospheric piece with barely contained emotion. Highly recommend the story of unrequited love strangled by life trapped in a small town.
Published 9 months ago by Book Club Convert
5.0 out of 5 stars
Condensed perfection
Ethan Frome is a struggling farmer, living with his hyponchondriachal wife in bleak and snow-covered Starkfield (New England). Read more
Published 14 months ago by Clive A. H. Still
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
