ashleyodell 's review for:

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

5.0

challenging dark reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This is the book that made me love unreliable narrators -- and that isn't a spoiler, since the narrator sets you up for that from the introduction. I re-read this during the first big snowstorm of every winter, for reasons that will become obvious when you read it! You *can* read it just for the story, but it's best to read it when you really want to mull something over.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt

Two of the main characters have physical disabilities and this is a major plot point. At one point,

you will learn in detail how the disabilities began via injury

. If you are triggered by suicide, you should be aware that

as part of what's discussed in the previous spoiler, you'll read about two of the main characters unsuccessfully acting on a joint suicide attempt. One of the main characters considers suicide again at the end of the novella but then decides against it.

Both of these themes are used as part of the broader themes of rural life, its difficulties, and the social pressures people in small communities live under.