Ethan Frome

Ethan Frome is a novel written by Edith Wharton that was first published in 1911. The story is set in the fictional town of Starkfield, Massachusetts, in the late 19th century. The novel is a tragic love story that explores the themes of isolation, duty, and the consequences of unfulfilled desires.The protagonist, Ethan Frome, is a poor farmer who is trapped in a loveless marriage to his sickly and bitter wife, Zeena. When Zeena's young cousin, Mattie Silver, comes to live with them, Ethan is immediately drawn to her youthful energy and vivacious personality. As Ethan and Mattie spend more time together, they fall in love and begin to dream of a life together.However, their dreams are shattered when Zeena discovers their affair and threatens to send Mattie away. In a desperate attempt to escape their unhappy lives, Ethan and Mattie decide to commit suicide by sledding down a steep hill. The plan goes awry, and they are both left paralyzed and permanently injured.The novel is told from the perspective of a narrator who is visiting Starkfield and learns about Ethan's tragic story from various sources. Through his interactions with the townspeople, the narrator uncovers the secrets and tragedies of Ethan's life, including his failed attempt to escape his unhappy marriage.Overall, Ethan Frome is a powerful and heartbreaking novel that explores the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of unfulfilled desires. Wharton's vivid descriptions of the stark New England landscape and her nuanced portrayal of her characters make this a timeless classic of American literature.ETHAN WENT OUT into the passage to hang up his wet garments. He listened for Zeena's step and, not hearing it, called her name up the stairs. She did not answer, and after a moment's hesitation he went up and opened her door. The room was almost dark, but in the obscurity he saw her sitting by the window, bolt upright.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.