Ethan Frome

Author: (American) Wharton, E. (Author), Lü Xiang (Translator)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-03-01
Features: This book is a unique novel by Wharton. The setting is no longer the upper-class society of New York but a poor and cold small town in New England. The protagonist Ethan Frome, who has received a secondary education, is firmly tied to the farm due to a series of family misfortunes and is later subjected to the tyrannical and domineering torment of his wife Zenia, who lies in bed all day claiming illness. Ethan falls in love with Mattie, his cousin who comes to help manage the household, after Zenia discovers this. Zenia orders Mattie to leave the farm immediately. The lovers decide to commit suicide by sledding into a tree, but unfortunately, they survive the attempt only to become disabled. From then on, Zenia takes care of the two, and the three unfortunate people endure immense suffering in the dilapidated farmhouse.