by Edith Wharton (Author)
Ethan Frome is a poignant story set in the bleak, wintry landscape of Starkfield, Massachusetts. It follows Ethan Frome, a man marked by a past accident, which the narrator, a visitor to Starkfield, gradually uncovers. The narrative delves into Frome's complex relationships with his sickly wife Zeena and her cousin Mattie, who represents a lost chance at happiness. The novel explores themes of forbidden love, duty, and the stark choices that shape our lives, leading to a dramatic and moving conclusion.
Ethan Frome emerged from Edith Wharton's own experiences and stories heard while residing at The Mount in Lenox, Massachusetts. The tragic sledding accident central to the novel was inspired by a real incident in Lenox in 1904, which Wharton learned about through her friendship with one of the survivors. The novel reflects the naturalistic connection between the harsh New England environment and the stoicism of its people, a theme Wharton found compelling and which resonated with readers, earning acclaim as "a compelling and haunting story" by The New York Times.
This case laminate collector's edition includes a Victorian inspired dust-jacket.