Ethan Frome (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels)

It's better than expected, very disturbing and deep. It made me wonder how "kind and loving" Ethan really was to his mother and the other women he eventually had to take care of. There is something I found deeply disturbing about him, more than alittle off. Though one would think his wife, Zeena, to be a pathetic victim; I saw her differently. He grossly devalued her and underestimated her. She got her revenge in a way for his destroying her youth and life. I think poor Mattie was an innocent victim, too niave to realise that Ethan was deeply disturbed. His whole relationship with her seemed entirely his own twisted fantasy and perhaps that makes the ending even more chilling. Three people locked together in hatred, trapped in a hell of one mans creation. Thats my take on it anyway. Its as depressing as "House of Mirth", both to me being cautionary tales of wasted youth and choices not taken.

Enjoyed book a lot. Great piece of literature that is different from typical stories about women in gilded age and city life.

This book takes place in the county of Massachusetts where I have spent my entire life so naturally I had to read it. At first, I thought it would be dry and boring but it was anything but that. The story takes the read on a little ride through the life of a very poor family and expounds on the hardships and live lost that the rest of the community knew about to some degree. Without giving away too much of the story, I was wondering how certain things would be learned, the story did not disappoint.

For 1.94$ this book is superb. Looks like a smaller knock off version of the actual book that has 117+ pages. But since this book is larger than the others, it is condensed to 77 pages, makes the reading go by a bit quicker. All the same words, same story. Worth the money instead of going to Barnes & Noble.

Three novellas, and each one made me cry. The writing was sensitive. The stories were captivating. I got lost in each of them. I'm pleased that I purchased Everyman's version of this book because of Hermione Lee's insightful comments in the introduction, and I always appreciate Everyman's chronology of the author's life. All of it was very well done.

Wharton’s Ethan Frome is hauntingly atmospheric — the New England winter setting, the snow, the cold isolation, all mirror the emotional state of the characters. The writing is tight, evocative, with vivid descriptions of hardship, guilt, and longing. The moral and psychological tension (between love, duty, and despair) is compelling. Encyclopedia Britannica +2 American Literature +2 That said, the novella is emotionally very heavy and somewhat grim. The plot moves slowly, and many moments feel more about mood and inner conflict than action or resolution. Some readers may feel the characters are trapped too long with little hope, making it a difficult or depressing read rather than a satisfying one

For sheer story telling and character building, Edith Wharton can't be beat. I chose to read this novel again after having read it the first time when I was a high-school sophomore. Despite the passage of many years between readings, I was transported into Ethan's world. The one drawback in this edition is the small font. But at my age, if I got through it, so can you.

Ethan Frome is a poor Massachusetts farmer who finds himself giving up his dreams of a better life, to stay and take care of the family farm. Farm life is lonely, harsh, with little reward and his marriage is a disaster. When at last he finds love and joy, it leads to a sequence of life changing events that alter the balance of power in the situation, albeit without any real happiness. Edith Wharton has a easy way of storytelling that, to me, seems quite modern for its time. The length (100 pages) is perfect for this sad tale.

There are classic novels I have wanted to read. This is an inexpensive way of reading them and it will help me to decide to purchase the more expensive hardcover version of those books I will add to my favourites.

This book is a gloomy masterpiece. We discussed it at book club. The book itself has a clear font and useful introduction