The Custom of the Country

The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton is a timeless classic that follows the story of Undine Spragg, a young Midwestern girl determined to find her place in New York City's upper class. As she navigates the intricate web of society, Undine discovers the harsh realities of ambition, social conventions, and the power of money. At once a scathing indictment of the privileged class, and a heart-breaking tale of a woman's struggle for independence, The Custom of the Country is Wharton's most ambitious work. With its rich and complex characters, and its nuanced exploration of the moral and social implications of wealth, it is a fascinating and timeless commentary on the human condition. Written in 1913, this powerful novel is still relevant today and is essential reading for any fan of Edith Wharton.<br/><br/>Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was an American novelist, short story writer, and designer. She was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Literature in 1921 for her novel, The Age of Innocence. Wharton’s works are known for their meticulous attention to detail and her penetrating insight into the lives of the American upper class. Born into a prominent New York family, Wharton was educated at home and in Europe. She began writing in her teens and mostly kept her work to herself until she published her first collection of stories, The Greater Inclination, in 1899. Her first novel, The House of Mirth, was published in 1905 and met with huge success in both the US and abroad. Wharton went on to write over 40 novels and short stories, including Ethan Frome (1911), The Custom of the Country (1913), and Summer (1917). Wharton was a tireless advocate for social reform. She wrote extensively about the plight of women and the working class in America and founded the first school for underprivileged children in New York. Wharton was also a passionate traveler and designer. She wrote travel books about her travels throughout Europe and the Middle East, and was known for her elegant and luxurious interiors. Wharton’s works remain popular to this day and she is widely considered to be one of the greatest American writers of her time. Her works are still widely read, discussed, and studied in academic circles.