Edith Wharton
An American author.
The House of Mirth
orphan Lily Bart loves Lawrence Seldon but rejects him because he is poor. blackmailed and falsely accused by other men. becomes millionaire and takes overdose of sleeping pills
The Age of Innocence
New York 1870s: Newland Archer marries May Welland but loves her cousin Ellen Olenska
Ethan Frome
Massachusetts Farm: farmer Ethan Frome marries whining hypochondriac Zeena but loves her cousin Mattie. Ethan and Mattie injured in bobsled suicide attempt. Zeena becomes devoted nurse and Mattie becomes nag
The Custom of the Country
Undine Spragg samples pleasures, marries millionaire from hometown
Old New York
4 novellas about 1840 to 1880, including False Dawn [Lewis Raycie buys modern pictures], The Old Maid [Charlottle Lovell’s cousin raises her illegitmate daughter Tina], The Spark [Walt Whitman influences old man], New Year’s Day [wife sacrifices for sick husband]