Book Review - Ethan Frome - Edith Wharton
Whilst on business in Starkfield, Massachusetts, an unnamed narrator is intrigued by the loping, intense figure of a man named Ethan Frome. Mention of his name causes the townsfolk to clear their throats and look elsewhere, giving nothing away. Later, during a blizzard, the narrator is forced to stay the night in Frome’s cold, desolate home and the story of his earlier life is told….
Edith Wharton
I have never read Edith Wharton before, my only previous experience was many years ago watching the Scorcese film ‘The age of innocence’, which disappointed me because of what it wasn’t (and I should watch it again). I was recently reading Hanya Yanagihara’s ‘To paradise’ and the first part is set in a well furnished, opulent apartment building at the end of the 1800’s, featuring the scion of a family of old money, and that put me in mind of Wharton again.
I am currently near the end of the above mentioned ‘To paradise’ (720 pages) Frantzen’s ‘Crossroads’ (580 pages) and Robert Kolker’s ‘Hidden Valley Road’ (400) so I jumped at the chance of reading this novella, part of the Novellas in November #NovNov run by Cathy at 746books and Rebecca of BookishBeck.
Foreshadowing
This was just the book that I needed to read right now. The foreshadowing is so well done and left me feeling uneasy the whole way through. I did find it intensely bleak, especially with the weather and setting being so imposing, but I found myself racing through it. The writing, the descriptions, are just so precise. My favourite line in the whole story was:
“They seemed to come suddenly upon happiness as if they had surprised a butterfly in the winter woods”
but it’s just so intricate and beautifully written and paced throughout. So much is just under the surface.
Ethan Frome Summary
For a short story, this has a lot packed in - more so than many longer books. With regret, sorrow and drama it certainly packs a punch - in fact, it’s probably because of it’s brevity that it’s so effective. There’s nary a word wasted.
It’s hard to talk about the ‘Ethan Frome’ without revealing spoilers, so I won’t. I love short stories but I really need to read more Novellas, and will certainly be reading more of Edith Wharton’s work.
Book review - Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
181 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1911