Creators: Mixed Edith Wharton's satiric anatomy of American society in the first decade of the twentieth century appeared in 1913; it both appalled and fascinated its first reviewers, and established her as a major novelist. It follows the career of Undine Spragg, recently arrived in New York from the Midwest and determined to conquer high society. Glamorous, selfish, mercenary, and manipulative, her principal assets are her striking beauty, her tenacity, and her father's money. With her sights set on an advantageous marriage, Undine pursues her schemes in a world of shifting values, where triumph is swiftly followed by disillusion. Wharton was re-creating an environment she knew intimately, and Undine's education for social success is chronicled in meticulous detail. The novel superbly captures the world of post-Civil War Ameria, as ruthless in its social ambitions as in its business and politics. - Back cover.
MixedThe Custom of the Country, I think, is a little bit more didactic and a bit more of a caricature and it's got a bit more venom in it, which I think warps and misshapes some of the characters out of balance, but still Edith Wharton, Three Novels of New York, this is a is a cherished volume in my library.
Mixeda Midwestern girl moves to New York City and sets her sights on making it in high society but as we very quickly learned nothing is ever enough for her and the more she gains the more she loses including her audience's sympathy
What made the match, strongest first
Mixed reactions from creators17 reviews
