Part 1 begins in Boulogne on the northern coast, moving through Amiens, Rouen, and Fontainebleau, before sweeping across the Loire and Indre regions and into the mountainous terrai...

Part 2 takes the reader southward from Paris to Poitiers, the Pyrenees, and into the sun-drenched landscapes of Provence and the Rhône valley. Wharton vividly contrasts the cultura...

Part 1 opens with American painter John Campton awaiting his son George’s arrival in Paris, while sensing the rising tension of impending war. Though devoted to his art, Campton b...

In Part 2, George is sent to the front, and Campton is left to navigate a tide of anxiety and resignation. Receiving only fragmented news, he imagines the dangers his son faces, co...

Part 3 reaches its emotional peak with the tragic revelation of George’s fate. Campton is overwhelmed by grief and introspection, questioning the meaning of art, legacy, and fathe...

Crucial Instances is a collection of short stories that examines themes of love, loss, and psychological tension, often framed within Wharton’s critique of upper-class society. Th...

Edith Wharton’s French Ways and Their Meaning is a reflective cultural essay written after World War I, comparing French and American societal values. She praises the French for t...

Part 1 presents three tales rich in psychological nuance and subtle supernatural tension. Miss Mary Pask explores the eerie aftermath of a supposed death, unraveling memory and per...

Part 2 delves into themes of belief, desire, and the contradictions of human nature through three reflective narratives. The Seed of the Faith explores religious fervor, generation...

Part 1 chronicles Wharton’s early impressions of Morocco as she travels through Rabat, Salé, Volubilis, Meknez, and Fez. She vividly captures the contrast between Islamic heritage...

Part 2 begins with the dazzling allure of Marrakech and transitions into an intimate exploration of harems, ceremonial life, and French infrastructural reforms under General Lyaute...

Part 1 centers on northern Italy’s alpine landscapes and sacred pilgrimage sites, blending serene natural settings with spiritual contemplation. "An Alpine Posting-Inn" captures t...

Part 2 focuses on the historical and aesthetic richness of Italy’s urban centers, seasonal rhythms, and daily life. "Sub Umbra Liliorum" explores symbolic gardens and architecture...

Madame de Treymes follows John Durham, an American navigating the rigid codes of Parisian aristocracy as he grows close to Madame de Malrive, a woman trapped between her past and p...

Edith Wharton’s New Year’s Day (The 'Seventies) portrays a woman’s conflict between love and honor within the strict codes of late 19th-century New York society. The story begin...

Edith Wharton’s Sanctuary tells the story of Kate Orme, a young woman facing a profound moral crisis on the eve of her marriage. Initially filled with joy, Kate’s anticipation is...

Part 1 presents stories centered on isolation, identity, and the human need for connection. The Hermit and the Wild Woman explores a retreat from society and the rediscovery of sel...

Part 2 delves into themes of social pretense, artistic integrity, and relational paradoxes. The Pretext examines the blurred line between genuine emotion and societal decorum, whil...

Part 1 begins with Anne, now a grown woman, suddenly confronted by the return of her estranged mother, Kate, who abandoned her years ago. Kate seeks to mend their broken bond, but ...

Part 2 traces Anne’s emotional reckoning as she learns the painful truths behind her mother’s past. As Kate’s history unfolds, Anne’s romantic life becomes increasingly entangl...