Summer
by Edith Wharton is a poignant novel that explores themes of desire, societal constraints, and the complexities of human relationships. The story centers on a young woman named Charity Royall, who is caught between her longing for a more vibrant life and the limitations imposed by her small-town upbringing.
Charity, raised in a remote mountain town, experiences a newfound sense of freedom and passion when she meets a sophisticated stranger from the city. Their relationship sparks a journey of self-discovery, as she grapples with her feelings and the expectations of her community. Wharton's vivid prose paints a rich picture of the natural surroundings, mirroring Charity's emotional landscape. As the summer unfolds, Charity confronts the realities of love, ambition, and the constraints of her social environment. Through her struggles, Wharton delves into the tension between personal fulfillment and societal expectations, creating a compelling narrative that resonates with readers
Edith Wharton was born Edith Newbold Jones on January 24, 1862, at 14 West 23rd St. into a prosperous New York family. The only daughter and third child of George Frederic and Lucretia Rhinelander Jones, Edith spent a large portion of her early years in Europe, primarily in France, Germany, and Italy, where she honed her language skills and deepened her appreciation for the beauty of literature, art, and architecture. Although Wharton had a collection of her own poems privately printed when she was 16, she did not start writing seriously until after several years of marriage. The Valley of Decision, Wharton's debut book, was released in 1902. A novel of manners published in 1905, The House of Mirth, examined the stratified society in which the author was raised and its response to societal upheaval. She received a lot of positive reviews and attention for the book. She also became the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. At age 75, she died at Pavillon Colombe on August 11, 1937. In Versailles' Cimetière des Gonards, she is buried next to her close friend Walter Berry.
