Ethan Frome

by Edith Wharton
Ethan Frome cover
Good Books rating 3.62
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 8293
  • Added: 2025-12-21
  • Updated: 2026-01-20
  • ISBN: 9781504013734
  • Publisher: Open Road Media
  • Published: 2015-05-26
  • Formats: 5
  • Reviews: 4

Edith Wharton, a Pulitzer Prize–winning author and keen social critic, masterfully weaves a tragic tale of epic proportions in Ethan Frome. The novella delves into the life of Ethan Frome, a physically disfigured man bound by duty to a loveless marriage with a sickly older woman. Living in the desolate town of Starkfield, Massachusetts, Ethan's life is marked by impoverishment and a sense of duty that he cannot escape. Yet, he once dreamed of a life beyond his bleak existence, a hope that now seems destined to remain unfulfilled. The story is a poignant exploration of love, duty, and the tragic consequences of circumstances beyond one's control. /n/n Ethan Frome is a powerful narrative that showcases Wharton's ability to capture the complexities of human emotions and societal constraints. The novella has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices, making it a compelling read for those interested in classic literature and tragic romance.

Reviews
Bookshelf Discovery · 2025-11-30
powerful 4.00

For a short story, it is remarkably dense with themes of regret, sorrow, and drama. It packs a powerful emotional punch despite its brevity.

They were impressed by the depth and complexity of the novella, which they felt was remarkably dense for its length. The themes of regret, sorrow, and drama are explored with a level of intensity that is rare in longer works. They appreciated the emotional impact of the story, which they felt was both powerful and moving. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is tightly woven, creating a sense of inevitability that is both compelling and tragic. They also noted that the novella's brevity does not detract from its emotional resonance, as it packs a powerful punch in a relatively short space.

Quick quotes

    For a short story, this has a lot packed in - more so than many longer books.

    With regret, sorrow and drama it certainly packs a punch - in fact.

    The only characters explored in any depth are the ones that matter most.

I Would Rather Be Reading Blog · 2023-12-15
bleak 3.00

The novella is beautifully written but bleak, with a tone that is far from heartwarming. It delves into themes of despair and tragedy, leaving a lasting impression.

This reviewer was struck by the bleak and foreboding tone of the novella, which is beautifully written but far from uplifting. They appreciated the depth of the characters and the exploration of despair and tragedy, which left a lasting impression. The story's setting and atmosphere are vividly depicted, creating a sense of inevitability and doom that resonates long after the last page. They also noted that the novella's brevity does not detract from its impact, as it packs a powerful punch in a relatively short space.

Quick quotes

    Ethan Frome is no heartwarming and morally uplifting story.

    This beautifully written novella is about as bleak as they come.

    The tone of the book is very bleak, filled with foreboding and a hint of tragedy to come.

The Guardian · 2022-12-27
dark 3.00

This is not a typical festive book, lacking the usual warmth and heartwarming moments. It is a dark and tragic tale set in a bleak winter landscape.

This reviewer points out that Ethan Frome is far from your typical festive read. There are no fabulous parties or thawed hearts, no warming morals about the power of togetherness. Instead, it is a dark and tragic tale set against the backdrop of a bleak winter landscape. They appreciate the novella's ability to evoke a sense of foreboding and tragedy, but they also acknowledge that it might not be the best choice for those looking for a more uplifting or festive read. They highlight the novella's strength in its exploration of complex emotions and its ability to leave a lasting impression, but they also acknowledge that it might not be suitable for everyone.

Quick quotes

    Ethan Frome is not your typical festive book.

    There are no fabulous parties or thawed hearts, no warming morals about the power of togetherness.

    The tone of the book is very bleak, filled with foreboding and a hint of tragedy to come.

She Reads Novels · 2011-04-21
thought-provoking 4.50

The tone is bleak and filled with a sense of impending doom. The characters are explored in depth, adding to the overall tragedy.

They were struck by the bleak tone and sense of impending doom that permeates the novella. The characters are explored in depth, which adds to the overall sense of tragedy. They appreciated the vivid depiction of the setting and the emotional depth of the characters, which they felt were well-developed and compelling. The plot is tightly woven, creating a sense of inevitability that is both compelling and tragic. They also noted that the novella's brevity does not detract from its emotional resonance, as it packs a powerful punch in a relatively short space. They felt that the novella is a powerful exploration of human nature and the consequences of our actions, which is both moving and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    The tone of the book is very bleak, filled with foreboding and a hint of tragedy to come.

    The only characters explored in any depth are the ones that matter most.

    The book has a wonderful sense of impending doom and I think this is an amazing book.

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