The meaning of the title is symbolic. Written in the shadow of her own divorce and failed secret affair, this is a novel on fidelity and infidelity and maybe boundaries. But the image makes a nice contrast of the New England winter of Ethan Frome.
Wharton was unhappy with her novel, and called it a “poor miserable lifeless lump”. Critics tend to be more forgiving. If you‘re curious, make your own call in our next #whartonbuddyread
Graywacke @jewright @Louise @Sace @Suet624 @arubabookwoman @Currey @catebutler @Catherine_Willoughby @crazeedi @mdm139 @emilyhaldi @rubyslippersreads @KathyWheeler @llwheeler @CarolynM @Cathythoughts @BookishTrish @leftcoastzen 2y
Lcsmcat Love the photo! It does warm one after the snows of Starkesville! (edited) 2y
Sparklemn @graywacke I'd love to join the read for The Reef 2y
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Graywacke @Sparklemn Cool. Your timing is perfect. We'll chat about Book One in about two weeks. Have you read Wharton?... or what have you read by Wharton? 2y
Sparklemn @Graywacke I've read Age of Innocence, the Buccaneers, and The Custom of the Country albeit many years ago. Looking forward to trying another Wharton. 2y
Graywacke @Sparklemn well, you‘ve read a few. The Custom of the Country is actually our next book. (It will be new for me - well, all three that you have read will). Glad you‘re joining. 2y
AnnR @graywacke Please tag me when you set up the schedule for The Custom of the Country. (Hoping my current book juggling will have calmed down by then.) I have not read any books by Wharton yet but your discussions have piqued my curiosity. 🙂 2y
Graywacke @Ann_Reads - @Lcsmcat will lead Custom of the Country, our next book. We alternate. We will add you. @Lcsmcat - please note and add @Ann_Reads 🙂 2y
Lcsmcat @Graywacke Absolutely! Welcome @ann_reads! I hope you enjoy Wharton as much as we do. 2y
AnnR @Lcsmcat @Graywacke Thanks so much for adding me. Good to know you are alternating discussion hosts, too. (Sorry, I didn't take the time to find the initial posts for the start of the Wharton buddy reads, so I was clueless. 🙃) (edited) 2y
Graywacke @Ann_Reads so sorry needed. I was just explaining my follow up request and getting you in the loop. 🙂 2y