![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
just_the_things21. Each summer, pick a classic or book I have been hesitant to read and give it a try
Yesterday, I finished earreading Ethan Frome. I chose it for two reasons. First, it was only 4 discs long, so I knew I'd be able to read it during the bit of summer that applied to the 2018 portion of my 101 Things list. And, second, we named a printer at work "Edith" after Edith Wharton, and I wanted to read one of her books.
Based on the subject matter of the story, I really didn't expect to like it. And, yeah, I didn't particularly love the emotional affair plot. But I did really love the writing and the raw, honest portrayals of people. It's kind of amazing to see how people haven't changed in the hundred years since this book was published. Sure, the language and cultural levels of indecency were different, but the way the characters acted was so realistic.
The point of view was a little strange. I think seeing how different Frome was from one part of the story to the next (in flashback) and back again was great, but there was so much detail and inner thought in the section about Frome's story, and I couldn't understand how Frome had communicated it all so deeply and honestly to the narrator. So it took a little suspension of disbelief to get me through. But the way the characters interacted? That felt familiar and authentic. And the descriptions of everything were just beautiful.
Not my favorite classic, but I'm still glad I finally read it in the end.
Yesterday, I finished earreading Ethan Frome. I chose it for two reasons. First, it was only 4 discs long, so I knew I'd be able to read it during the bit of summer that applied to the 2018 portion of my 101 Things list. And, second, we named a printer at work "Edith" after Edith Wharton, and I wanted to read one of her books. Based on the subject matter of the story, I really didn't expect to like it. And, yeah, I didn't particularly love the emotional affair plot. But I did really love the writing and the raw, honest portrayals of people. It's kind of amazing to see how people haven't changed in the hundred years since this book was published. Sure, the language and cultural levels of indecency were different, but the way the characters acted was so realistic.
The point of view was a little strange. I think seeing how different Frome was from one part of the story to the next (in flashback) and back again was great, but there was so much detail and inner thought in the section about Frome's story, and I couldn't understand how Frome had communicated it all so deeply and honestly to the narrator. So it took a little suspension of disbelief to get me through. But the way the characters interacted? That felt familiar and authentic. And the descriptions of everything were just beautiful.
Not my favorite classic, but I'm still glad I finally read it in the end.
