Russell's review
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
Although it is a tragedy like "Tess of the d'Urbervilles", it's not the same slow, exquisite train wreck that Tess was.
Wharton's classic is more sparse, less ornate, and captures the New England stark winter desolation that mirrors Ethan Frome's internal world.
"Tess" is wonderful, but you know it's going to end badly for her, but the story takes it's time getting to that part. Indeed, this enhances the pain and poignancy of her tragic end. But a few times I found myself wishing it would end, if for no other reason than to release her from her fate-forged prison. Not so with "Ethan Frome" since it's shorter and doesn't mess around leading the reader to it's tragic end.
Frome, when we meet him, is seriously injured from an accident 20 years ago.
The narrator, whose name we never learn, pieces together during his winter's stay the events surrounding this broken man.
Ethan was married to a bitter, shrewish hypochondriac of a woman, Zeena. Why...more
Wharton's classic is more sparse, less ornate, and captures the New England stark winter desolation that mirrors Ethan Frome's internal world.
"Tess" is wonderful, but you know it's going to end badly for her, but the story takes it's time getting to that part. Indeed, this enhances the pain and poignancy of her tragic end. But a few times I found myself wishing it would end, if for no other reason than to release her from her fate-forged prison. Not so with "Ethan Frome" since it's shorter and doesn't mess around leading the reader to it's tragic end.
Frome, when we meet him, is seriously injured from an accident 20 years ago.
The narrator, whose name we never learn, pieces together during his winter's stay the events surrounding this broken man.
Ethan was married to a bitter, shrewish hypochondriac of a woman, Zeena. Why...more
