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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
medium-paced
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had always wanted to read this book as my mom likes the film and she told me she first read this book in the 80s while recovering from a particularly bad sunburn… Well, I did not realize my mother enjoys emo stories with near-fatal sledding accidents.
This book was a short but tragic tale of the unhappy Ethan Frome and his lust after his wife’s relative, Mattie. I did not like Ethan so much or Zeena but I did see that both characters lived in their own worlds, wanting more from life that the other could not provide, thus making them miserable. Then, here comes Mattie, seemingly the sunshine in Ethan’s life but also equally as miserable as she has no direction in life and wants to stay with Ethan and Zeena. This leads to an emotional affair between Ethan and Mattie.
When Mattie has to get sent away (Zeena’s terms, of course), that’s when karma kicks in. I knew a sledding accident was going to happen, as it was referred to in the beginning of the book, but when Mattie got all emotional and basically convinced Ethan to attempt a double suicide by running into the tree so they couldn’t be apart.. I was shocked. Mom, you like this??? Ethan’s state of mind when he considers it and decides to see it though was really well written though, I even had to go through it twice because I was in awe.. And the ending. Oof, karma really got them. Ethan got Mattie to stay with him forever.. but as the shell of a girl she was and with a bad spinal injury that has left her crippled while Zeena ages with grace.. and Ethan.. well, we learn his misery’s source is actually Mattie.
Wharton’s writing is really something I enjoy and she got to the point of the book without all the bells and whistles that could cause a classic to be difficult to read or comprehend. A tragic story but one I recommend if you want an interesting and quick classic under your belt!
This book was a short but tragic tale of the unhappy Ethan Frome and his lust after his wife’s relative, Mattie. I did not like Ethan so much or Zeena but I did see that both characters lived in their own worlds, wanting more from life that the other could not provide, thus making them miserable. Then, here comes Mattie, seemingly the sunshine in Ethan’s life but also equally as miserable as she has no direction in life and wants to stay with Ethan and Zeena. This leads to an emotional affair between Ethan and Mattie.
When Mattie has to get sent away (Zeena’s terms, of course), that’s when karma kicks in. I knew a sledding accident was going to happen, as it was referred to in the beginning of the book, but when Mattie got all emotional and basically convinced Ethan to attempt a double suicide by running into the tree so they couldn’t be apart.. I was shocked. Mom, you like this??? Ethan’s state of mind when he considers it and decides to see it though was really well written though, I even had to go through it twice because I was in awe.. And the ending. Oof, karma really got them. Ethan got Mattie to stay with him forever.. but as the shell of a girl she was and with a bad spinal injury that has left her crippled while Zeena ages with grace.. and Ethan.. well, we learn his misery’s source is actually Mattie.
Wharton’s writing is really something I enjoy and she got to the point of the book without all the bells and whistles that could cause a classic to be difficult to read or comprehend. A tragic story but one I recommend if you want an interesting and quick classic under your belt!
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really love Edith Wharton's writing and how she writes flawed main characters and makes you sympathize with them.
Ethan Frome is probably not that great of a person, he seems a little obsessed with Mattie, but i still feel really bad for him.
I'm not sure how to feel about Zeena. She annoys me because she can be really really mean, but also she is very poor, very sick and probably unhappy in her marriage.
About the ending, i think it might be a little out of character for Mattie to want to die, havent given it proper thought and i get that its all her emotions exploding at once, but she always was a very cheerful character and i wish she had stayed that way. I understand that the point of this book might be the downfall of the characters, i just dont really like how it was done, i dont know.
I kinda wish there were more explanation of what happened after, it was pretty much unexplained outside from "theyre hurt, they gotta stay home", its a short book but i still managed to get attached to the characters and i wanted a little more of them at the end.
Also please i will die wanting to know more about the anonymous narrator AND WHY DID ETHAN LET ONLY THEM INSIDE THE HOUSE.
In general i did like the book, i love a story with few characters in a little town, i dont mind that its a sad story, those are necessary every once in a while.
Ethan Frome is probably not that great of a person, he seems a little obsessed with Mattie, but i still feel really bad for him.
I'm not sure how to feel about Zeena. She annoys me because she can be really really mean, but also she is very poor, very sick and probably unhappy in her marriage.
About the ending, i think it might be a little out of character for Mattie to want to die, havent given it proper thought and i get that its all her emotions exploding at once, but she always was a very cheerful character and i wish she had stayed that way. I understand that the point of this book might be the downfall of the characters, i just dont really like how it was done, i dont know.
I kinda wish there were more explanation of what happened after, it was pretty much unexplained outside from "theyre hurt, they gotta stay home", its a short book but i still managed to get attached to the characters and i wanted a little more of them at the end.
Also please i will die wanting to know more about the anonymous narrator AND WHY DID ETHAN LET ONLY THEM INSIDE THE HOUSE.
In general i did like the book, i love a story with few characters in a little town, i dont mind that its a sad story, those are necessary every once in a while.
I recall really enjoying this, though I don't remember much about it.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A sad but very human story. Loved the winter setting. Edith Wharton's writing as beautiful and evocative as always.
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Here’s the thing about Edith Wharton, I love her writing, I hate her characters. I know that’s the point, but she’s just that good I guess haha
Okay that aside, I really liked this story. I was angry for most of it, but I did really like it.
I know the reputation this book has and it’s not uncalled for. Just saying.
Okay that aside, I really liked this story. I was angry for most of it, but I did really like it.
I know the reputation this book has and it’s not uncalled for. Just saying.