Sign in with Facebook
Jason Koivu's Reviews > Ethan Frome
Ethan Frome
by
by
Jesus H Christ but this is bleak stuff! Even the town name Wharton chose, Starkfield....holy shit, hide the guns, rope and knives!
I was born and raised in New England, wandering about the wooded, hilly landscapes of Massachusetts, Vahmont, New Hampshah and Maine for much of my youth. The springs and summers were green and alive. The autumns and winters were dark and dead. So half the year was glorious, good times and the other half you spent desperately trying to survive while wondering if it wouldn't be better to let the icy roads have their way and let your car fly off a bridge. Ethan Frome is solidly stuck in the latter.
The story of Ethan, a troubled married man in love with another woman, is revealed through deft flashbacks. Though I found the dramatic climax, (view spoiler), a touch melodramatic, this is otherwise excellent reality writing. Life does not work out the way you want or expect it sometimes, Wharton is saying. Her ironic twists are not so very fantastical, but rather they are the necessary conclusion.
If you like when hopes and dreams are mercilessly dashed, read away! If you relish ruin and decay, have at it! But do read Ethan Frome, do.
I was born and raised in New England, wandering about the wooded, hilly landscapes of Massachusetts, Vahmont, New Hampshah and Maine for much of my youth. The springs and summers were green and alive. The autumns and winters were dark and dead. So half the year was glorious, good times and the other half you spent desperately trying to survive while wondering if it wouldn't be better to let the icy roads have their way and let your car fly off a bridge. Ethan Frome is solidly stuck in the latter.
The story of Ethan, a troubled married man in love with another woman, is revealed through deft flashbacks. Though I found the dramatic climax, (view spoiler), a touch melodramatic, this is otherwise excellent reality writing. Life does not work out the way you want or expect it sometimes, Wharton is saying. Her ironic twists are not so very fantastical, but rather they are the necessary conclusion.
If you like when hopes and dreams are mercilessly dashed, read away! If you relish ruin and decay, have at it! But do read Ethan Frome, do.
Sign into Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ to see if any of your friends have read
Ethan Frome.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
Started Reading
June 1, 2009
– Shelved
June 1, 2009
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-15 of 15 (15 new)
date
newest »
newest »
Ivana wrote: "If you like when hopes and dreams are mercilessly dashed...lol. It really is a depressing read, but somehow worth it.Nice review:)"
Thanks Ivana!
I read this a few years ago and throughout there was that bleak, gathering in of the doom. Your last paragraph made me smile though.
Mark wrote: "I read this a few years ago and throughout there was that bleak, gathering in of the doom. Your last paragraph made me smile though."If I can make people smile with my reviews, that makes me happy. I used to try to make people snort uncontrollably and wet themselves, but you can see the double-edgedness of that.
Well, I wasn't going to admit but since you mention it....do you know a good dry cleaners...i will send you the bill.
Mark wrote: "Well, I wasn't going to admit but since you mention it....do you know a good dry cleaners...i will send you the bill."I can't be held accountable for incontinence in middle-aged folk like us.
Maybe try Age of Innocents. I haven't read this one, so can't compare. Also, New England is where it's at :)
Morgan wrote: "Maybe try Age of Innocents. I haven't read this one, so can't compare. Also, New England is where it's at :)"I'm right in the middle of AoI as we speak!
I gave my review a star higher because of the writing, but I didn't see that ending coming.
Morgan wrote: "I gave my review a star higher because of the writing, but I didn't see that ending coming."Yeah, considering some of the books I've given 3 stars, this one could easily be 4.
Autumn is such a beautiful season, full of color.
Nice review:)