Discover books similar to "Ethan Frome"

Ethan Frome cover

Edith Wharton

Ethan Frome

3.4

"Ethan Frome" by Edith Wharton is a classic American novel that explores the themes of love, desire, and the constraints of small-town life. The story is set in the fictional town of Starkfield, Massachusetts, where the protagonist, Ethan Frome, lives a dreary and unfulfilling life. Ethan is a hardworking and responsible man, but he is trapped in a loveless marriage to a bitter and disabled woman, Zeena. The couple's lives are further complicated by the arrival of Mattie Silver, Zeena's cousin, who comes to live with them and help around the house. Ethan and Mattie soon develop a deep and passionate love for each other, but their love is threatened by the harsh realities of their circumstances and the rigid social norms of their community. Wharton's prose is precise and evocative, capturing the stark beauty of the New England landscape and the inner lives of her characters. The novel is also notable for its exploration of gender roles and the ways in which societal expectations can limit individual freedom and happiness. Despite its bleak subject matter, "Ethan Frome" is a powerful and moving novel that offers a profound critique of small-town life and the human condition. It is a must-read for anyone interested in American literature and the works of Edith Wharton. Overall, "Ethan Frome" is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today. Its exploration of love, desire, and the human condition is as relevant now as it was when it was first published in 1911. Whether you're a fan of classic literature or just looking for a compelling and thought-provoking read, "Ethan Frome" is a novel that is sure to leave a lasting impression...

List of books similar to "Ethan Frome":

The Age of Innocence cover

Edith Wharton

The Age of Innocence

If you enjoyed the intricate social commentary and critique in 'Ethan Frome', you'll appreciate Wharton's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel 'The Age of Innocence'. Set in the high society of 1870s New York, this book explores themes of love, marriage, and tradition through the story of Newland Archer and his complicated relationship with Countess Olenska.

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The House of Mirth cover

Edith Wharton

The House of Mirth

Another classic by Edith Wharton, 'The House of Mirth' tells the story of Lily Bart, a beautiful and intelligent woman who struggles to maintain her social status in New York society. With its sharp social commentary and exploration of themes such as gender, class, and morality, this book will appeal to fans of 'Ethan Frome'.

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The Scarlet Letter cover

Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Scarlet Letter

If you enjoyed the themes of isolation and societal judgment in 'Ethan Frome', you'll find similar ideas in Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter'. Set in Puritan New England, this book tells the story of Hester Prynne, a woman who is ostracized by her community after having an affair and giving birth to a child out of wedlock.

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The Great Gatsby cover

F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby

Fans of 'Ethan Frome' will appreciate the vivid depiction of American society and the exploration of themes such as class, love, and disillusionment in F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby'. Set in the Roaring Twenties, this book tells the story of Nick Carraway and his complicated relationship with his wealthy neighbor, Jay Gatsby.

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Wuthering Heights cover

Emily Brontë

Wuthering Heights

If you enjoyed the dark and intense atmosphere of 'Ethan Frome', you'll find a similar mood in Emily Brontë's 'Wuthering Heights'. Set on the Yorkshire moors, this book tells the story of the tumultuous relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, and the impact it has on those around them.

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Jane Eyre cover

Charlotte Brontë

Jane Eyre

Fans of 'Ethan Frome' will appreciate the strong-willed and independent protagonist in Charlotte Brontë's 'Jane Eyre'. This classic novel tells the story of Jane, a young woman who overcomes adversity and finds love and independence in a world dominated by men.

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Middlemarch cover

George Eliot

Middlemarch

If you enjoyed the complex characters and exploration of societal norms in 'Ethan Frome', you'll find similar themes in George Eliot's 'Middlemarch'. Set in a small English town in the 1830s, this book tells the interconnected stories of several characters as they navigate love, marriage, and ambition.

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Madame Bovary cover

Gustave Flaubert

Madame Bovary

Fans of 'Ethan Frome' will appreciate the vivid depiction of small-town life and the exploration of themes such as adultery and disillusionment in Gustave Flaubert's 'Madame Bovary'. This classic novel tells the story of Emma Bovary, a woman who seeks to escape the boredom and monotony of her life through extramarital affairs.

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Anna Karenina cover

Leo Tolstoy

Anna Karenina

If you enjoyed the exploration of love and marriage in 'Ethan Frome', you'll find a similar focus in Leo Tolstoy's 'Anna Karenina'. This epic novel tells the story of Anna, a woman who has an affair and must deal with the consequences, as well as the story of Levin, a man who struggles to find meaning in his life.

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Tess of the D'Urbervilles cover

Thomas Hardy

Tess of the D'Urbervilles

Fans of 'Ethan Frome' will appreciate the vivid depiction of rural life and the exploration of themes such as class, gender, and morality in Thomas Hardy's 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles'. This classic novel tells the story of Tess, a young woman who must navigate a world dominated by men and societal expectations.

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The Portrait of a Lady cover

Henry James

The Portrait of a Lady

If you enjoyed the exploration of love and marriage in 'Ethan Frome', you'll find a similar focus in Henry James's 'The Portrait of a Lady'. This classic novel tells the story of Isabel Archer, a young woman who inherits a fortune and must navigate the complexities of love and marriage in high society.

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