The Custom of the Country

Edith Wharton

Maison d'édition: DigiCat

Synopsis

Edith Wharton's "The Custom of the Country" delves into the complexities of societal expectations and individual desires in early 20th-century America. Through the lens of its protagonist, Undine Spragg, a quintessential representation of social ambition, Wharton critiques the materialistic and often superficial nature of the American upper class. The novel's modernist literary style, characterized by its sharp dialogue and rich, nuanced descriptions, effectively captures the interplay between personal aspiration and societal constraints, illustrating the stark realities of ambition and disillusionment in a rapidly changing world. Edith Wharton was an influential figure in American literature, often exploring themes of social class, gender, and morality. Born into a wealthy New York family, Wharton had firsthand experience with the societal norms she so brilliantly dissected in her work. Her European travels and the contrasts between American and European societies deeply influenced her literary voice, and "The Custom of the Country" represents her sophisticated commentary on the American social landscape at the turn of the century. For readers interested in the intricate dynamics of class and gender, "The Custom of the Country" is an essential read. Wharton's keen insights and masterful storytelling invite readers to reflect on the timeless struggles between societal expectations and personal identity, making this novel a profound exploration of the human condition.

Disponible depuis: 11/10/2022.

Longueur d'impression: 386 pages.

D'autres livres qui pourraient vous intéresser

The Call of the Wild

Jack London

The Call of the Wild by Jack London is a gripping adventure novel that follows the journey of Buck, a domesticated dog who is thrust into the harsh wilderness of the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush. As he is exposed to the brutal realities of survival, Buck gradually transforms from a pampered pet into a wild, primal creature, reconnecting with his ancestral instincts. The novel explores themes of survival, the call of nature, and the struggle for dominance, capturing the raw beauty and ferocity of the wilderness.

Voir livre

A Slip of the Pen - From their...

Amy Levy

Amy Levy was born in London, England in 1861, the second of seven in a fairly wealthy Anglo-Jewish family. The children read and participated in secular literary activities and became firmly integrated into Victorian life.
Her education was at Brighton High School, Brighton, before studies at Newnham College, Cambridge; she was the first Jewish student when she arrived in 1879, but left after four terms.
Amy’s writing career began early; her poem ‘Ida Grey’ appeared when she was only fourteen. Her acclaimed short stories ‘Cohen of Trinity’ and ‘Wise in Their Generation,’ were published by Oscar Wilde in his magazine ‘Women's World’.
Her poetic writings reveal feminist concerns; ‘Xantippe and Other Verses’, from 1881 includes a poem in the voice of Socrates's wife. ‘A Minor Poet and Other Verse’ from 1884 comprises of dramatic monologues and lyric poems.
In 1886, Amy began a series of essays on Jewish culture and literature for the Jewish Chronicle, including ‘The Ghetto at Florence’, ‘The Jew in Fiction’, ‘Jewish Humour’ and ‘Jewish Children’.
That same year while travelling in Florence she met the writer Vernon Lee. It is generally assumed they fell in love and this inspired the poem ‘To Vernon Lee’.
Her first novel ‘Romance of a Shop’, written in 1888 is based on four sisters who experience the pleasures and hardships of running a London business during the 1880s. This was followed by Reuben Sachs (also 1888) and concerned with Jewish identity and mores in the England of her time and was somewhat controversial.
Her final book of poems, ‘A London Plane-Tree’ from 1889, shows the beginnings of the influence of French symbolism.
Despite many friendships and an active life, Amy suffered for many years with serious depressions and this, together with her growing deafness, led her to commit suicide by inhaling carbon monoxide on September 10th, 1889. She was 27.

Voir livre

The Aspern Papers

Henry James

"The Aspern Papers" by Henry James is a gripping novella centered around the literary intrigue of an ambitious American editor, who seeks to obtain the private papers of the esteemed poet Jeffrey Aspern. Traveling to Venice, the editor meets Aspern's elderly former lover, Juliana Bordereau, and her niece, Miss Tina. Obsessed with acquiring the papers, the editor navigates a web of secrecy and manipulation, as Juliana guards the precious documents jealously. He develops a peculiar relationship with Miss Tina, using her affection to gain access to the coveted papers.

Voir livre

At the Stroke of Midnight - A...

Jenni Keer

‘So many things to love about this book – stunning setting, fabulous characters, a murder mystery to solve, and all under a spellbinding timeslip twist. Absolutely devoured it.’ Jessica Redland, million-copy bestselling author ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐It’s an invitation that will change everything… 
It’s 1923 when Pearl Glenham and her father are invited to a mysterious country house party on the Dorset coast, by a total stranger. 
Her father claims not to have any prior association with Highcliffe House, but upon arrival, it is apparent that he has a secret shared history with several of the guests. Belatedly discovering that her father was blackmailed into attending, Pearl’s worries are compounded when their elusive host fails to even appear… 
Intimidated by everyone at the party, she escapes to the nearby cove and stumbles upon a mysterious mercury clock hidden in a cave. This strange encounter sets in motion a series of events that culminates in an horrific house fire, claiming the lives of all the guests, including Pearl herself. 
But then… Pearl wakes up back in the cave, seemingly destined never to live past midnight. She can repeat the day. But can she change its outcome? 
A completely addictive and unforgettable 1920s mystery – with a timeslip twist – perfect for fans of Daphne du Maurier, Agatha Christie, and Lucinda Riley.  
Readers are loving At the Stroke of Midnight: 
‘A fantastic read!… The puzzle, once solved, is staggering… Reminded me of Poirot… I’d recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction with a mystery and a dash of the unexplainable thrown in. Brilliant imagination!!!’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
‘And Then There Were None meets Groundhog Day… The author does a great job of making you feel as if you’re in the 1920s; it’s a clever Christie-like whodunnit (and I didn’t guess!) but it’s more than that. It’s a coming-of-age story… a lovely romance; and magical realism with the timeloop… Thoroughly good.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
‘So many twists and surprises, it was a thrilling experience trying to work out what was going on and who was responsible for the murders. Definitely a little Agatha Christie like, with a sprinkling of Rebecca for good measure.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
‘A sumptuous, suspenseful and very satisfying read… Skilfully weaves drama, glamour, comedy, romance and coming of age in a time-twisty tale of suspense… Atmospheric… rich in period detail… perfectly paced.’ Nancy Peach, bestselling author ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
‘To sum this book up in one word... Absobloodymazing!!!… I am in love with the way [the author] writes historical fiction, timeslips, mysteries and romance all in one book. She really is clever, the way she hides her clues throughout the book and gives her readers so many ‘aha’ moments throughout. The sheer amount of twists leaves you feeling seasick in the best possible way.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
‘What a creative fascinating story!… A unique intriguing mystery set in 1923 with a fascinating time loop… Reminded me of an Agatha Christie… Kept me intrigued from start to finish… I loved it.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 
‘Kept me reading late into the night… Extraordinary “whodunnit” set in a different era… Reminded me of the film Groundhog Day… I loved this book.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Voir livre

The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes

Sir Aarthur Conan Doyl

Originally published in 1927, these short stories represent the fifth and final collection of Arthur Conan Doyle's tales featuring Sherlock Holmes. Included are the following stories, originally published in Strand Magazine beginning in 1921 and stretching through 1927: The Adventure of the Illustrious Client The Adventure of the Blanched Solider The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone The Adventure of the Three Gables The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire The Adventure of the Three Garridebs The Problem of Thor Bridge The Adventure of the Creeping Man The Adventure of the Lion's Mane The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place The Adventure of the Retired Colourman Note: The original text contained wording and phrasing choices that represented outdated cultural beliefs related to race. Per the publisher's discretion, this audiobook edition makes minor edits to these instances to avoid perpetuating racial prejudice and stereotyping. With these texts now available in the public domain, listeners are free to view the original text via sources such as Project Gutenberg, Wikisource, or Faded Page.

Voir livre

Eve's Diary - Twains thought...

Mark Twain

Samuel Langhorne Clemens was born in Florida, Missouri on the 30th November 1835 and is far better known by his pen name of Mark Twain. An American writer and humorist of the first order he is perhaps best known for his novels ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer’ and its sequel ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ which are often described with that mythic line The Great American Novel.

Twain grew up in Hannibal, Missouri which would later provide the backdrop to these great novels. Apprenticed to a printer he also became a typesetter and then a master riverboat pilot on the Mississippi. Later, heading west with his brother Orion to make his fortune, he failed at gold mining and instead turned to journalism and thence his true calling as a writer of humorous stories where his wit and humor sparkled from every paragraph, his craft evident with every page and punctured target.

A staunch supporter of copyright protections this helped him keep much of the wealth his writing created, though much money was also lost on investments that he pursued in his love for science and technology as well as investing in his own inventions.

Twain was born during a visit by Halley’s comet, and he predicted that he would go out with it as well. He died the day after its subsequent return on 21st April 1910, at his house, Stormfield, located in Redding, Connecticut.

Once again Twain finds a new way to reveal more about humanity. This time from the baby Eve and her diary As the first woman she has a very unique perspective and, of course, the author’s way with words.

Voir livre