Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton REVIEW

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[aidanshaw]

I was assigned this book in high school and most of us hated it. I was in the midst of my own obsessive love affair and didn’t have the time to read it, which was a shame. Just read it today, agree with everything you said. A true classic.

[hesterdunlop]

Agree. Ethan Frome is a masterpiece . So much tension, atmosphere and sense of place. I read it after a lifetime as a family doctor and it stunned me that it was written over a century ago as it reflects modern ideas about pain and suffering .

[JuanReads]

I loved Ethan Frome so much when I read it last year that I went down an Edith Wharton rabbit hole and read many of her other novels in close succession. But that was probably a mistake because nothing got near Ethan Frome for me. Wharton's little novel is as close to perfection as I've ever read.

[almohvn]

Ethan Fromme, by far, the greatest book I ever read. I was 17in HS, when I first read it. I read it every two years... and still.. am haunted by the tragedy of it. @@@@ Masterpiece@

[adameggers]

Yes, this is a book I was assigned and read in high school. One of the challenges that I remember is that at an age when one´s body is so overwhelmed with physical attractions (lust), it is hard to relate the reserve of the characters. Also, the economy of language, which mirrors the economy of passion, is somewhat lost on younger readers.

[Ditka-]

We read the book in high school and everyone of my classmates complained that it was boring. I remember my teacher focusing on Wharton’s use of description for the pickle dish. Still one of my favorite books, and I loved the movie with Liam Neeson and Patricia Arquette

[mame-musing]

Your review is beautifully insightful and spoiler free. Yes, in the US many people read “Ethan Frome” as a high school reading assignment. I’ve seen many comments in Book Tube where people either hated it or loved it. I loved it however, I agree, some of the author’s nuance may be missed by younger readers. Another Wharton book you may enjoy is “The House of Mirth”. The story initially takes place among very privileged people however the story arc for the protagonist shifts dramatically and tragically.

[CN-xpqk]

Hi! I'm so happy YouTube suggested me your channel. I've played a couple of your videos and I really like the way you comment on books and literature. I've just finished reading Ethan From a few days ago, it was my first Edith Wharton piece, and I deeply, deeply loved it. The tone, the events, the emotions, what is said and not said, Nature, all confluence in such a beautiful and hopeless sort of "mist" that surrounds and weighs and make yourself wet and cold to the bones. Great novel.

[jakobjohnson]

Uff, this is another book I've gotta add to my reading list now. Just when I was starting to think that it couldn't get any longer LOL. Also, I'd actually never heard of this book (and I'm a 5th year English major), so it's definitely not common in American high schools. But then again, American high schools tend to only teach cliche literature that doesn't question the status quo so as to avoid controversies from parents. For instance, although The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison is one of the greatest (if not the greatest) novels of the twentieth century, it's also the book that is most frequently banned in school districts in the USA. Another example is that in LA in the early 2000s, The Webster's Dictionary was banned from a school district because it defined oral sex. Parents are, unfortunately, quite oversensitive about these things when it comes to literature in schools. But it definitely sounds like a book that should be taught! (Sorry for the rant, I'm easily excited by books.)

[sean]

Just read it and was profoundly impacted by it. I'm actually working on an article about the fact Wharton may have based the climax on a real life tragedy that occurred during a New England winter.

[mayraviscarroferrer]

Fabulous video!! I haven't read any Wharton yet, but I'm looking forward to!

[NothernBunny]

I love Edith Wharton's writing. Ethan Frome is up there with my faves.

[corrinamay]

Love the review. Visited The Mount today. It peaks my interest that EW kept her books organized by color as seen in the review background. 😁

[sandrarobinson]

I have just finished reading Ethan Frome and enjoyed your video review very much! I mostly read Victorian Classics, so this very tightly contained story (both in action and lack of descriptive writing) was difficult to get into, so your review gave me a lot to think about. Thanks! I had a similar feeling when reading 'Stoner' by John Edward Williams. Oh and I had a laugh when you mentioned St John Rivers from Jane Eyre (my favourite book)

[sarah-roadworthy]

I read Ethan Frome as a high school student in New England and absolutely hated it! Despite reading many classics I have avoided Wharton because of that high school experience. Lately, I feel like I'm hearing lot's of Wharton love all over booktube and I'm being forced to reconsider my self imposed Wharton ban. Your review has tempted me to read Frome again and see if you are right.

[tylermartin]

Would definitely recommend Age of Innocence if you liked this one. Great video as always!

[DimitrisLian]

I remember you talking about high school students in Italy hating I Promessi Sposi simply because they were forced to read it during adolescence, I hope the same doesn't happen to American teenagers with this small masterpiece. :)

[maddys]

Great review! Please review more classics! Thank you

[owl]

Have you considered taking a look at the Picture of Dorian Gray? It's my favorite classic novel, a brilliant gothic horror tale with millions of layers of social commentary, philosophy and moral themes.

[mayraviscarroferrer]

Amazing review! I did read it now. I loved it. One of my favourite novels of all time.