Edith Wharton

The Touchstone

Crucial Instances

The Valley of Decision

Sanctuary

The Descent of Man, and Other Stories

Italian Villas and Their Gardens

Italian Backgrounds

Lily Bart, an unmarried woman of 29 with significant social and familial connections, resides with her aunt, Mrs. Peniston, following the demise of her mother. Frequently, she finds herself at the Bellomont, a lavish estate owned by the affluent Gus and Judy Trenor, where grand soirees dominate the social calendar of the New York elite. These events often involve high-stakes card games, a setting that exacerbates Lily's debilitating gambling problem, sending her spiraling into financial ruin.

Lily's chief ambitions are marriage and affluence, hoping to wed a wealthy man to cement her societal status. Despite numerous opportunities, she consistently holds out, convinced she can attain more. Lawrence Selden, her one true love, is economically inadequate for her marital aspirations. Lily develops an interest in the stock market during her time at the Bellomont. Gus Trenor, who harbors a secret fondness for Lily, agrees to invest on her behalf. As the investments succeed, Lily begins to live a life of opulence. However, she soon discovers a shocking truth: Trenor has been using his own funds, expecting her companionship as repayment. Mortified, Lily vows to settle her debts, though she is uncertain of how she will accomplish it.

Lily embarks on an unplanned Mediterranean trip with George and Bertha Dorset, along with young Ned Silverton, only to discover she is merely a diversion for George while Bertha carries on an affair with Ned. As Lily mingles with European elites, a jealous Bertha ousts her, starting a scandalous rumor about Lily and George, leading to Lily's social ostracization. On her return to America, Lily learns of her aunt's death and a meager inheritance of $10,000, enough to clear her debts to Trenor, but inaccessible for a year. Lily struggles to restore her tarnished reputation and takes up humble jobs to survive. She moves into a boarding house and starts using sleeping pills to escape her desolation. Once her inheritance arrives, she settles all her debts, and later, she overdoses on her sleeping pills, possibly deliberately. Lawrence Selden visits her apartment intending to propose, only to find her lifeless, her debts cleared.

The House of Mirth

Madame de Treymes

The Fruit of the Tree

A Motor-Flight Through France

Artemis to Actaeon and Other Verses

Tales of Men and Ghosts

In a quaint, snow-covered New England town, an intrigued stranger finds himself eager to uncover the mystery surrounding a local named Ethan Frome, whose life took a tragic turn two decades prior. The stranger's inquiries about Ethan's calamitous past only yield vague responses, until a brutal snowstorm leads him to spend a night at Ethan's home, where he learns the haunting tale. 

The narrative took place twenty years ago, with Ethan making his way through the snowy town to a local church dance. He watches from outside, mesmerized by a young girl wearing a cherry scarf. This girl is Mattie Silver, Ethan's wife's cousin, who has been living with them and assisting with household duties. Ethan is besotted with Mattie, a fact that becomes apparent during their walk home from the church. The tension between them is palpable, but it dissolves upon their arrival home to Zeena, Ethan's sickly and suspicious wife. The next day, Ethan is thrilled to find out that his wife is going away for a night to seek medical treatment. However, despite his yearning for Mattie, he is unable to express his feelings, and they spend the night without acknowledging their mutual attraction.

Upon Zeena's return, she shares the bleak news about her worsening health and her decision to hire a new, more capable girl to replace Mattie. Despite his resentment, Ethan doesn't voice his disagreement. Overcome by his feelings, he steals a kiss from Mattie, who he informs about Zeena's plan to send her away. Their intimate moment is interrupted by Zeena, who has discovered a broken dish and becomes even more determined to remove Mattie from the house. As Ethan grapples with the possibility of losing Mattie, he thinks of eloping with her but soon realizes the futility of it due to his strained financial condition. The following day, despite his guilt, Ethan plans to bring Mattie to the station himself, taking a detour for one last adventure together. They go sledding and, on Mattie's heartbreaking suggestion, they crash into a tree, hoping to die together.

Two decades later, the stranger finds Ethan living with a paralyzed Mattie and the ailing Zeena, stuck in a never-ending cycle of regret and despair. Back in town, the stranger recounts his disturbing experience at the Frome household to his landlady, and they commiserate over the pitiful fate of Ethan and the two women bound to him through the harsh New England winters.

Ethan Frome

The Reef

The Custom of the Country

Bunner Sisters

Madame de Treymes and Three Novellas

Xingu

Summer

The Marne

French Ways and Their Meaning

In Morocco

Selected Travel Writings, 1888-1920

Edith Wharton Abroad

Newland Archer finds himself in a state of elation following his engagement to the stunning young May Welland. His happiness is soon disrupted, however, by the arrival of May's cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska, freshly returned to America after leaving her unfaithful husband. With her daring attire, relaxed demeanor, and scandalous rumors surrounding her, the Countess ignites shockwaves among New York's high society. Yet, due to her influential family under the matriarch, Mrs. Manson Mingott, May and Archer feel obliged to keep her within their circles.

As he gets to know Ellen better, Archer grows fond of her unorthodox perceptions of their social world. Simultaneously, his enthusiasm for his bride-to-be, May, dwindles as he perceives her as a reflection of her societal upbringing: courteous, naive, and lacking personal conviction and identity. When the Countess announces her plans to divorce her husband, Archer, while supportive of her pursuit for independence, feels obligated to convince her to stay married for the sake of her family's reputation. During a retreat near Hudson, Archer confesses to himself his love for Ellen, leading him to suddenly leave for Florida where he reunites with May and her family. Once there, he tries to hasten their wedding plans. May grows suspicious, questioning if his rush stems from doubts about their union. In an effort to pacify her, Archer insists he is indeed in love with her. Upon returning to New York, he admits his love to Ellen, only to receive a message from May, stating that their wedding has been expedited.

Following their wedding and a honeymoon in Europe, Archer and May begin their life as a married couple in New York. Over the years, his memories of Ellen become a distant, yearning image. However, a chance reunion with her in Newport rekindles his feelings. She promises to stay in America as long as their love remains unexpressed. Back in New York, Archer discovers that Count Olenski wants Ellen back, but she refuses. After her grandmother suffers a stroke, Ellen returns to New York to look after her. She and Archer plan to surrender to their passion, but suddenly, Ellen decides to return to Europe. May, who has just announced her pregnancy, throws a farewell party for Ellen. After the guests depart, she reveals to Archer that she had shared the news with Ellen a fortnight ago.

Fast forward twenty-five years, Archer and May have had three children, and May has passed away from pneumonia. Archer's son, convincing his father to visit France, arranges a meeting with Countess Olenska at her Parisian residence. But Archer, in the end, sends his son to see her alone, deciding to cherish the memories of his past instead.

Edith Wharton Books in Order (51 Book Series)

The Touchstone

Crucial Instances

The Valley of Decision

Sanctuary

The Descent of Man, and Other Stories

Italian Villas and Their Gardens

Italian Backgrounds

The House of Mirth

Madame de Treymes

The Fruit of the Tree

A Motor-Flight Through France

Artemis to Actaeon and Other Verses

Tales of Men and Ghosts

Ethan Frome

The Reef

The Custom of the Country

Bunner Sisters

Madame de Treymes and Three Novellas

Xingu

Summer

The Marne

French Ways and Their Meaning

In Morocco

Edith Wharton Abroad

Selected Travel Writings, 1888-1920

The Age of Innocence

The Glimpses Of The Moon

The Old Maid

Old New York, Book 1

A Son at the Front

The Spark

Old New York, Book 2

New Year's Day

Old New York, Book 3

False Dawn

Old New York, Book 4

The Mother's Recompense

The Writing of Fiction

Twilight Sleep

The Children

Hudson River Bracketed

Certain People

The Gods Arrive

Human Nature

A Backward Glance

An Autobiography

Roman Fever and Other Stories

The New York Stories of Edith Wharton

The Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton

The Buccaneers

The Hermit and the Wild Woman and Other Stories

Fast And Loose

The Decoration of Houses

The Greater Inclination

The World Over

Fighting France

Ghosts

Stories

What To Read Next

Share this page