Synopsis:Tragic story of wasted lives, set against a bleak New England background. A poverty-stricken New England farmer, his ailing wife and a youthful housekeeper are drawn relentlessly into a deep-rooted domestic struggle in this hauntingly grim tale of thwarted love. Considered by many to be Wharton’s masterpiece.

Hmm. Wharton’s masterpiece? I didn’t see it. Granted, I’ve only ever read one other novel of Wharton’s (The House of Mirth) and that was years ago, but I absolutely loved it. So much so, I’ve included it in my Classics Club challenge to re-read. Ethan Frome, on the other hand, is a very slight book that took me at least two years, if not more, to read. I started it, put it aside because either it was dull or I just wasn’t in the right frame of mind for a bleak New England winter setting. The only reason I picked it up again is because it was short. That is my pre-requisite, these days. It’s amazing how many classic novels, especially early 20th century, fit the requirements. Yea!

Since the description calls the novel a ‘tragic story’ it isn’t much of a spoiler to say things don’t end well for Ethan Frome. I understand the literary merit of tragedies, and who doesn’t like a good cry after investing yourself in characters for hundreds of pages? But for me to feel anything I need to care about the characters or, even better, like at least one of them. I didn’t care for anyone in this novel so their pathetic lives elicited barely a shrug when I finished. Whereas, Lily Bart’s fate in The House of Mirth haunted me.

I might not have enjoyed the book, but I do think Ethan Frome has inspired some pretty cool book covers.  I love to look at bleak winter landscapes but apparently don’t enjoy reading about them. Huh.

Love the shadows.

This is the cover of my book. Not my favorite, but I do like the inclusion of the buggy since that plays a part in the story.

this is probably the best representation of the setting, as I imagined it. Grey, forbidding.

Penguin always scores on covers. Love how the snow takes up the majority of the picture. Nice inclusion of sledding.

I just love these covers, as boring as they are.

• Ethan Frome (★★) by Edith Wharton
• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; Unabridged edition (January 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486266907
• ISBN-13: 978-0486266909
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.2 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (342 customer reviews)