Ethan Frome

by Edith Wharton
Ethan Frome cover
Good Books rating 3.38
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 8293
  • Added: 2025-12-21
  • Updated: 2026-04-11
  • ISBN: 9781504013734
  • Publisher: Open Road Media
  • Published: 2015-05-26
  • Formats: 6
  • Reviews: 4

Edith Wharton's masterful novella, Ethan Frome, is a poignant exploration of love, duty, and the harsh realities of life in a small, isolated town. The story revolves around Ethan Frome, a man physically and emotionally scarred, who is bound by duty to his sickly wife, Zeena. The narrative is framed by an unnamed narrator who becomes intrigued by Ethan's mysterious past and the events that led to his current state. /n/n Wharton's keen social criticism is evident as she delves into the themes of societal expectations, the constraints of marriage, and the consequences of unfulfilled desires. The novella is a powerful portrayal of a man trapped in his own private hell, unable to escape the consequences of his past actions and the oppressive environment of Starkfield, Massachusetts.

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.

Los Angeles Review of Books · 2018-08-29
poignant 3.50

Ethan Frome is a tragedy that is almost unendurably poignant, focusing on a thwarted double suicide and the purgatory-like suffering that follows.

This novella is a deeply tragic story that is almost unbearable in its poignant exploration of human suffering. The focus on a thwarted double suicide and the subsequent purgatory-like suffering of the characters is both heartbreaking and compelling. The writing is beautiful, drawing the reader into a world of despair and hopelessness. The characters are deeply flawed and their struggles are relentless, making for a deeply moving and thought-provoking read. The author's ability to convey the depths of human suffering is truly remarkable.

Quick quotes

    Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome is a tragedy, almost unendurably poignant.

    The story is about a thwarted double suicide, which ensures purgatory-like suffering for its characters.

    The writing is beautiful, drawing the reader into a world of despair and hopelessness.

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