tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post4462252469429999448..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: Ethan Frome by Edith WhartonBrian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-28618910218051940502017-12-29T22:23:52.496-05:002017-12-29T22:23:52.496-05:00Hi WHispering Gums - I think that rvus is a good W...Hi WHispering Gums - I think that rvus is a good Wharton book to start with. I agree that House of Mirth, while tragic, was a great book. <br /><br />I need to read The Custom of the Country.,Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-11077244951252472832017-12-29T17:45:39.649-05:002017-12-29T17:45:39.649-05:00Darn it, Undine Spragg!Darn it, Undine Spragg!Whispering Gumshttp://whisperinggums.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-43530608771679595382017-12-29T17:44:31.759-05:002017-12-29T17:44:31.759-05:00I read this book in the early 1980s. It was my int...I read this book in the early 1980s. It was my introduction to Wharton, and I went on to read several of her books - novellas and novels - and also some short stories. I love the way she describes entrapment. The house of mirth has to be one of my favourite books, gut wrenching as it is. Its exploration of social entrapment combined with a personal failure of courage combined with a developing moral code is so beautifully done. <br /><br />Anfpd her heroine's name in The custom of the country - Undone Spragg - is one of my all-time favourites!Whispering Gumshttp://whisperinggums.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-2274627625154901312017-10-10T08:23:31.051-04:002017-10-10T08:23:31.051-04:00Hi Richard - Wharton can be very depressing. She t...Hi Richard - Wharton can be very depressing. She tends to also write dark endings. Though I thought that it was brilliant, I found House of Mirth one of the grimmest books that I have ever read. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-81874080406601298792017-10-10T00:20:19.438-04:002017-10-10T00:20:19.438-04:00I hope to get back to Wharton before the year'...I hope to get back to Wharton before the year's out. I think you're right about how well she writes about "trapped" characters, but that kind of makes her novels threaten to be emotional slogs in a way!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-78378923982087075992017-10-08T12:58:17.865-04:002017-10-08T12:58:17.865-04:00Hi Hila - I would love to know more of Zeena's...Hi Hila - I would love to know more of Zeena's point of view. Perhaps the ending indicated that there is more to her then Ethan has made us believe. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-45775594851963742692017-10-08T12:20:38.067-04:002017-10-08T12:20:38.067-04:00I read it a few years ago, and you're so right...I read it a few years ago, and you're so right about that feeling of being trapped in all kinds of constraints. I also remember thinking that it would have been interesting to hear a version of the story from Zeena's POV. She's not a likable character, but I think her POV would also be interesting, and in her own way, she's as stuck as all of them. It's a book that weighs on the spirit.HKatzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17653570160517335758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-64218773211808636182017-10-07T11:44:44.515-04:002017-10-07T11:44:44.515-04:00Hi Naida - That is a great quote. Hi Naida - That is a great quote. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-56561751806131914432017-10-07T11:43:28.097-04:002017-10-07T11:43:28.097-04:00Hi Evelina - If you read this, I would love to kno...Hi Evelina - If you read this, I would love to know what you thought about it. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-52592400205306821442017-10-07T11:42:04.894-04:002017-10-07T11:42:04.894-04:00Thanks Jane - I also would not have liked this boo...Thanks Jane - I also would not have liked this book when I was younger. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-10713665323227440392017-10-07T09:58:31.336-04:002017-10-07T09:58:31.336-04:00You've made me want to read this one Brian, it...You've made me want to read this one Brian, it sounds interesting. I like the last lines you shared especially.The Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10217390642323530030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-75493012027110885992017-10-07T09:41:42.278-04:002017-10-07T09:41:42.278-04:00I feel like reading this now, you make it sound ve...I feel like reading this now, you make it sound very good!Evelina @ AvalinahsBookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09564183695294142501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-63113089503497176352017-10-06T18:47:51.852-04:002017-10-06T18:47:51.852-04:00So glad you read this book--I loathed it as a teen...So glad you read this book--I loathed it as a teenager and love it as an adult. The writing is awesome and the themes are timeless. I also thought the metaphor of the prison was spot on.<br /><br />Great review.<br />JaneGShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11094501834387622997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-42850621255535381982017-10-04T23:47:06.419-04:002017-10-04T23:47:06.419-04:00Thanks Maria. This was indeed a dark story. So was...Thanks Maria. This was indeed a dark story. So was House of Mirth. The Age of Innocence was less negative. <br /><br />There really are a lot of unhappy stories within the realm of Classic Literature. I agree that it adds to there power. As I Lay Dying is a great example. There are so many more.<br /><br />I also love Hermann Hesse. While many of his books were really positive, Steppenwolf really did take an unusual, dark turn. <br /><br />You hit it on the head with Jane Eyre. It was happy ending with a dark twist!<br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-16935539235769729072017-10-04T12:33:48.228-04:002017-10-04T12:33:48.228-04:00EXCELLENT analysis as usual, Brian!
Although I...EXCELLENT analysis as usual, Brian!<br /><br />Although I've heard of this book, I've never read it. I don't own this one, but I do own "Age of Innocence", which I have yet to read.<br /><br />Just reading your review of this novella has made me feel depressed.... What a HORRIBLE situation for anyone to be trapped in! Loveless marriages in the 19th century were mostly arranged marriages. In the 20th century, this began to change. But then there's the case of people making mistakes in their selection of marriage partners. In this case, Ethan wanted to avoid loneliness. That's one of the WORST reasons to enter into the commitment of marriage. As is borne out in this book, his decision was disastrous.<br /><br />I don't think I'll read this novel, to be honest. It will make me feel too depressed. As you know, i prefer happy endings! Lol. I can see that Wharton is a masterful writer, however, so I will give "The Age of Innocence" a try. <br /><br />You know, it's unfortunate that the work of great writers tends to not have happy endings..... Classics and literary fiction are usually full of tragic events. Perhaps this is what makes them such powerful works, but they do depress me. A case in point is Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying". I have read the plot of this novel on Goodreads. VERY depressing.... I did read "Light In August", also by Faulkner, and it took me forever to finish it, due to this depressing factor.<br /><br />Hermann Hesse, too, has a couple of very depressing novels. As you know, I HATE "Steppenwolf"! But part of the reason for that is the fact that I think it contains misogynistic elements. Another Hesse novel, "Beneath The Wheel", is VERY depressing, as well. <br /><br />This is part of the reason that "Jane Eyre" remains my favorite classic!! Yes, it does contain masterfully-told dramatic conflict, but then there's the happy ending (although it's rather bittersweet).<br /><br />Thanks for your insightful thoughts!! <3 : )<br /><br /> Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-86165776261451999062017-10-03T23:31:02.485-04:002017-10-03T23:31:02.485-04:00You m must read this one Susan! Wharton is si good...You m must read this one Susan! Wharton is si good, I really loved both House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-26485729365138080382017-10-03T23:27:54.337-04:002017-10-03T23:27:54.337-04:00Hi Laurie - This was mostly depressing. The oddnes...Hi Laurie - This was mostly depressing. The oddness of the end, while dark, pushed off total despair for me.<br /><br />I must read Summer!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-18854035495795876642017-10-03T22:35:08.984-04:002017-10-03T22:35:08.984-04:00This is one of the most depressing books I have ev...This is one of the most depressing books I have ever read, and yet I still like it. This and Summer concerns two people who have such promise, but are stuck in their familial and societal roles, but the writing is so good!<br /><br />Summer is also a novella (so it's short!) and I would love to get your take on it.Laurie @ RelevantObscurityhttps://relevantobscurity.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-31564014585575014782017-10-03T18:35:19.837-04:002017-10-03T18:35:19.837-04:00Now I'm wondering about the odd or surprising ...Now I'm wondering about the odd or surprising ending a bit. I hope there is a way Out for Ethan. But I guess i'll have to read it to see. In the present day, surely Zeena would be given the boot! Wharton sounds like an enticing and masterful writer. I will have to return to her classics. Nice review. thecuecardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08870323589682197091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-21493181394416360962017-10-03T11:04:59.246-04:002017-10-03T11:04:59.246-04:00You are right about Wharton writing about characte...You are right about Wharton writing about characters trapped in impossible situations. Hardy does that so powerfully as well.Loryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08519976394732029323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-79233450816154965872017-10-03T03:35:30.512-04:002017-10-03T03:35:30.512-04:00Thank you for the post, Brian. I love the quotes y...Thank you for the post, Brian. I love the quotes you have posted. I bought this book a couple of years ago, and I felt intimidated by its darkness. For it is short, I must give it a try. Deepika Rameshhttps://worncorners.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-85039154189221976712017-10-02T19:48:10.995-04:002017-10-02T19:48:10.995-04:00Hi Stefanie - This was the first time that I read ...Hi Stefanie - This was the first time that I read this. I think that a reread would be fruitful. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-19588433711409748872017-10-02T19:46:24.366-04:002017-10-02T19:46:24.366-04:00Hi Caroline - Perhaps claustrophobic would be a go...Hi Caroline - Perhaps claustrophobic would be a good descriptor of the feeling that this story imparts. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-41049319982408250992017-10-02T14:46:50.081-04:002017-10-02T14:46:50.081-04:00I first read this book in high school and re-read ...I first read this book in high school and re-read it a number of years ago and was surprised at how much I had missed the first time around. A very sad, rich story and typically Wharton. Lots packed into so few pages!Stefaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14943596258182968212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-74123573737288263882017-10-02T12:22:02.896-04:002017-10-02T12:22:02.896-04:00I right this right after The Age of Innocence and ...I right this right after The Age of Innocence and found it awfully depressing. I felt trapped, like Ethan, while reading it and glad when it was over. Carolinehttp://beautyisasleepingcat.comnoreply@blogger.com