Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

“Ethan Frome” by Edith Wharton is a haunting novel set in the stark landscape of a remote New England village. The story follows Ethan Frome, a quiet, physically worn man trapped in a life of hardship with his sickly wife, Zeena. When Mattie, Zeena’s lively cousin, comes to stay with them, an unspoken longing awakens in Ethan, leading to a web of emotional tension and quiet despair. The novel explores themes of isolation, unfulfilled desires, and the crushing weight of circumstance. Framed through the eyes of a visiting narrator, the tale gradually reveals the tragic events that shaped Ethan’s fate. With its vivid setting and deep psychological insight, Wharton crafts a moving exploration of human struggle and longing against an unforgiving landscape.