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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
Even though it was only 36,000 odd words long, Ethan Frome seemed to myopic for me to enjoy. It failed to captivate me past the first 20 pages, and I had to force myself to complete it. Although I did like the ending and its non linearity, there aren't any other good things that I have to say about this.
Meh. Better than Silas but not good enough. Too much pulsing lust and blowing cold winds for me. Old Ethan is really just a man drooling over a younger woman, as if it takes all the restraint in the world not to advance his kisses right on her lips.
Tragedy seems quite popular among the Classics. This was written well, but was such a sad tale. I need to get my hands on a happy Classic.
Cold, dormant, desolate, repressed.
Maybe you have to be a New Englander to understand...
but this one will stick with me for awhile.
Maybe you have to be a New Englander to understand...
but this one will stick with me for awhile.
See more of my reviews on my blog the Book Deviant
I really wasn't looking forward to this book, mainly because it just seemed othering of disabled peoples, but I eventually had to read it because we often have in-class essays dedicated to the books we read, and I couldn't exactly just throw myself under that bus. Ethan Frome ended up being exactly what I assumed it would be: offensive to disabled peoples, following a ridiculous story that was disappointing and exasperating all at once.
Maybe this story might have been redeemed by decent writing, but there was really nothing special about Wharton's writing. It was dry and bland, and I was constantly waiting for something to happen that would pique my interest. That never happened. Ethan Frome is a bland story that follows the life of a boring person, up until we start to get more information on Ethan. The way the narrator idolized Ethan, though, because of his disability, was really weird and creepy though. I think this is what people call "inspiration porn"?
And as the story, especially Ethan's story, progressed, I just got more and more grossed out and put off. I hated how Wharton made a spectacle of Ethan and his life and the fact that this unnamed character just decided to barge in, after barely knowing the guy, and asked to know his life story specifically about how he got injured.
Final Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Overall?
After suffering through all of this, after all of the idolization and stalking, I just wanted this book to be over. And then that goddamn ending, I was pissed. Nothing about this book was worth it. I don't get what the point of this book was, or why it was included on the AP list, because, frankly, it's pointless, it's offensive, and it's boring as hell.
Would I Recommend?
The only good thing about this book was that the audio was only 3 hours, so it was a really quick read. Good for AP kids needing to get books checked off their lists, but not wanting to dive into the really thick ones. Otherwise, this book is a waste of space, in my honest opinion.
I really wasn't looking forward to this book, mainly because it just seemed othering of disabled peoples, but I eventually had to read it because we often have in-class essays dedicated to the books we read, and I couldn't exactly just throw myself under that bus. Ethan Frome ended up being exactly what I assumed it would be: offensive to disabled peoples, following a ridiculous story that was disappointing and exasperating all at once.
Maybe this story might have been redeemed by decent writing, but there was really nothing special about Wharton's writing. It was dry and bland, and I was constantly waiting for something to happen that would pique my interest. That never happened. Ethan Frome is a bland story that follows the life of a boring person, up until we start to get more information on Ethan. The way the narrator idolized Ethan, though, because of his disability, was really weird and creepy though. I think this is what people call "inspiration porn"?
And as the story, especially Ethan's story, progressed, I just got more and more grossed out and put off. I hated how Wharton made a spectacle of Ethan and his life and the fact that this unnamed character just decided to barge in, after barely knowing the guy, and asked to know his life story specifically about how he got injured.
Final Rating: ★☆☆☆☆
Overall?
After suffering through all of this, after all of the idolization and stalking, I just wanted this book to be over. And then that goddamn ending, I was pissed. Nothing about this book was worth it. I don't get what the point of this book was, or why it was included on the AP list, because, frankly, it's pointless, it's offensive, and it's boring as hell.
Would I Recommend?
The only good thing about this book was that the audio was only 3 hours, so it was a really quick read. Good for AP kids needing to get books checked off their lists, but not wanting to dive into the really thick ones. Otherwise, this book is a waste of space, in my honest opinion.
I read it for Junior English and it grew on me. I love Edith Wharton's subtlety.
Actual rating 3.5
This story follows Ethan Frome who is married to a woman he no longer loves and seems to be obsessed with another woman.
This was a really easy read and I got through it very quickly.I really enjoyed the writing in this book. I am looking forward to reading more from the author in the future.
The characters in this book felt very realistic. The story was full of emotion and tragedy and I could easily picture these characters and their situation. Although the plot does feel very similar to other books it was an enjoyable read.
This story follows Ethan Frome who is married to a woman he no longer loves and seems to be obsessed with another woman.
This was a really easy read and I got through it very quickly.I really enjoyed the writing in this book. I am looking forward to reading more from the author in the future.
The characters in this book felt very realistic. The story was full of emotion and tragedy and I could easily picture these characters and their situation. Although the plot does feel very similar to other books it was an enjoyable read.
Finally, I have the right word for this predicament: When a capable author uses her prowess to create a work whose sole purpose seems to be to depress the reader, it can be described as Frome. This word can also be used as a verb, noun, adjective (Frome-ish, Frome-ier, etc), adverb (Frome-ly), etc. to similarly describe the effect it has on the reader, (ie, "I was Fromed.")
An example used in a sentence may be: "[a:John Steinbeck|585|John Steinbeck|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1182118389p2/585.jpg] was clearly suffering from a touch of the Frome when he penned [b:The Pearl|5308|The Pearl|John Steinbeck|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327882960s/5308.jpg|195832]"
Or, "Can we go see a rom-com? These foreign films are beautiful but leave me feeling Fromey."
An example used in a sentence may be: "[a:John Steinbeck|585|John Steinbeck|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1182118389p2/585.jpg] was clearly suffering from a touch of the Frome when he penned [b:The Pearl|5308|The Pearl|John Steinbeck|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327882960s/5308.jpg|195832]"
Or, "Can we go see a rom-com? These foreign films are beautiful but leave me feeling Fromey."
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated