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A review by frasersimons
Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton
4.0
Bit of a dark horse, this one. A young woman comes to town, staying with Ethan and his wife. As each get to know one another, going on nightly outings, we see a pretty effective rumination on poverty and social conventions that force each into staying deeply unhappy, which permeates the book with a melancholic narrative voice. It feels like they are merely one step away from seizing the reigns, yet can’t bring themselves to actually do so.
The best thing about the book is how well drawn the characters are, though. None of them are irreproachable. To a degree, they’re unlikable, but in an understandable way. It’s a heartbreaking story that, though short, packs a huge punch—the ending making a story that would have otherwise be a more complex tale on heavily retrodden ground, much more effective and interesting.
The audio book with CM Chester is really well done. A female narrator feels much more suited to it than when I sampled the other Scott Brock recording (good as he is).
The best thing about the book is how well drawn the characters are, though. None of them are irreproachable. To a degree, they’re unlikable, but in an understandable way. It’s a heartbreaking story that, though short, packs a huge punch—the ending making a story that would have otherwise be a more complex tale on heavily retrodden ground, much more effective and interesting.
The audio book with CM Chester is really well done. A female narrator feels much more suited to it than when I sampled the other Scott Brock recording (good as he is).