Ratings3
Average rating3.3
Madame de Treymes an important, early Edith Wharton novel about the differences between American and European society, published the year she left the United States to take up permanent residency in France. In a masterpiece of brevity, Wharton dramatizes the contrast between the two opposing forces: the simple and proper old brownstone New York, low in style but high in principle, and the achingly beautiful but decadent Saint-Germain district of Paris. The issue is seamlessly joined.
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My first Wharton. What a sensational writing style. I picked this one up first compared to her well known, “full” novels because I wanted to dip my toes in and get a taste essentially for Wharton. This was a decent read.
John Durham wishes to marry Fanny de Malrive, but Fanny's husband won't give her a divorce. Durham speaks to Fanny's sister-in-law about the matter, and gets a surprising response.
A very short novella of manners and social conventions set in Paris.