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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
thank you high school English for making read the first book I’ve ever hated
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Didn't expect the ending to be a tragicomedy!
Wharton writes beautifully, even if the subject is "depressing". New England has more than its share of stories about trapped lives and impoverished spirits. I thought this was one of the best. It was hard to keep reading when I could figure out how it was going to end.
The story is bookended by an unnamed narrator who is invited into Ethan Frome's house out of a winter storm, and hears about an accident. We then move into third person and hear Frome's story about falling in love with his wife's (Zeena) poor cousin (Matty) who has been forced upon them because she is homeless and destitute.
I really enjoyed the story, with a bit of a shock at the end - or at least it didn't end as I expected it to.
One problem though was how Zeena was portrayed. She's sickly and Ethan clearly hates her, but she felt rather unrealistically horrible and ugly, without any redeeming features, in order to justify Ethan's love for Matty. Possibly Zeena is actually ill, and the shooting pains she feels are very real, but this wasn't ever a consideration.
I really enjoyed the story, with a bit of a shock at the end - or at least it didn't end as I expected it to.
One problem though was how Zeena was portrayed. She's sickly and Ethan clearly hates her, but she felt rather unrealistically horrible and ugly, without any redeeming features, in order to justify Ethan's love for Matty. Possibly Zeena is actually ill, and the shooting pains she feels are very real, but this wasn't ever a consideration.
there's something sickly about this book. Age of Innocence is far superior.
starkfield? more like bleakfield. this is the perfect winter read if you’re looking for something depressing and heartbreaking, which i was.
all i know is that i want to give ethan frome the biggest hug ever because how can one be this unlucky?! he really deserves all the hugs and unending sleigh rides with mattie and that’s the ending i will be leaving this book with.
all i know is that i want to give ethan frome the biggest hug ever because how can one be this unlucky?! he really deserves all the hugs and unending sleigh rides with mattie and that’s the ending i will be leaving this book with.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My favorite kind of fiction--bleak, naturalistic fatalism that offers no moral, just a somber reflection on the way things could have been.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt