Publisher's Synopsis
Ethan Frome is a novel by Edith Wharton, published in 1911. The story is set in the fictional town of Starkfield, Massachusetts, during the late 19th century. The protagonist, Ethan Frome, is a poor farmer who is married to a sickly and demanding woman named Zeena. Ethan is unhappy with his life and feels trapped in his marriage. He dreams of leaving Starkfield and starting a new life somewhere else.One winter, Ethan meets a young woman named Mattie Silver, who is hired to help Zeena around the house. Ethan is immediately drawn to Mattie's youthful energy and beauty. As the two spend more time together, they develop feelings for each other. However, their love is forbidden, and they struggle to find a way to be together.The novel is narrated by an unnamed visitor to Starkfield, who learns about Ethan's tragic story through a series of flashbacks. The visitor discovers that Ethan and Mattie's attempt to run away together ends in disaster, as they are both seriously injured in a sledding accident. The accident leaves Mattie paralyzed and Ethan permanently disabled.Ethan Frome is a powerful and haunting tale of love and sacrifice, set against the backdrop of a harsh and unforgiving New England winter. Wharton's vivid descriptions of the landscape and the characters' emotions make the novel a timeless classic of American literature.ETHAN WENT OUT into the passage to hang up his wet garments. He listened for Zeena's step and, not hearing it, called her name up the stairs. She did not answer, and after a moment's hesitation he went up and opened her door. The room was almost dark, but in the obscurity he saw her sitting by the window, bolt upright.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
