Reviews

Ethan Frome (Oxford Bookworms) by Edith Wharton, Susan Kingsley

kleakurti's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Rounded up to 3.85*. The most striking thing about this book is the prose. The author’s incredible crafting of a gloomy, melancholy atmosphere really cuts through you. As well as how she crafted the character of Ethan Frome—his feelings and thoughts so recognizable, all done in few words. It was harder to get a reading on Mattie’s character, but that didn’t bother me so much, as this was a study of Ethan Frome’s character. I will read this again, preferably in a bleak, quiet winter day. Also inclined to check out the author’s other works. 

elysehdez19's review against another edition

3.0

Si ustedes me preguntan en este momento, ¿quién es Ethan Frome? Yo les respondería, lean este libro y así lo descubrirán.
Algo que amo de las novelas de Edith Wharton - sean cortas o largas- es la manera en cómo va construyendo a sus personajes y como creemos conocerlos pero sus cambios son tan versátiles y además creíbles dentro de la narrativa.
Parece una historia sencilla, pero en realidad hay mucho de la condición humana y de lo cual no siempre podemos entender al 100% o que cambia dependiendo de las circunstancias

katokaitlyn's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It’s so close to being a book I loved but the build up between Mattie and Ethan is confusingly nonexistent in that Mattie’s motivations seem poorly drawn (likely just a weakness of the narrative style—maybe?) but otherwise I really enjoyed this. I think it was a very solid introduction to Wharton’s work before trying out House of Mirth

kellyrenea's review against another edition

4.0

Book 43 of 2023: The atmosphere of this novel is so rich and a feast for the senses. The characters are real and flawed, easy to understand and sympathize with. Such tragic figures, the hero and heroine, with a surprise ending that grabs the reader. Sad, tragic, but beautifully written story.

teamlarson's review against another edition

2.0

Puss and pickles, Munchausen’s, and some poor rural people.

sportula's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

inestee's review against another edition

dark sad tense fast-paced

3.25

mar555m's review against another edition

bleak…. i think i rolled my eyes approximately a hundred times reading this book, objectively a good story, beautifully prose and a great ending but i simply could not stand ethan and mattie at all (maybe that’s the point but idk i’ll have to think more on it)

constantlythinking's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No

2.0

savshu's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0