A Son at the Front

by Edith Wharton

Overview

Wharton's antiwar masterpiece, now once again available, probes the devastation of World War I on the home front. Interweaving her own experiences of the Great War with themes of parental and filial love, art and self-sacrifice, national loyalties and class privilege, Wharton tells an intimate and captivating story of war behind the lines.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780486852171
Publisher:	Dover Publications
Publication date:	05/17/2023
Series:	Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was an American writer whose novels and short stories reflected her life in 19th Century upper-class society. As her writing pursuits were discouraged by her prominent New York family, Wharton’s first works were published under pseudonyms and anonymously. Her first collection of stories that appeared under her own name was The Greater Inclination (1899) and her first novel, The Valley of Decision (1902). Among her best-known works are The House of Mirth (1905), The Age of Innocence (1920), and Ethan Frome (1911). She was awarded both the Pulitzer Prize and Noble Prizes for Literature.

Date of Birth:

January 24, 1862

Date of Death:

August 11, 1937

Place of Birth:

New York, New York

Place of Death:

Saint-Brice-sous-Forêt, France

Education:

Educated privately in New York and Europe

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Introduction by Shari Benstock
Book One: Chapters I–IX
Book Two: Chapters X–XXIII
Book Three: Chapters XXIV–XXXI
Book Four: Chapters XXXII–XXXVI

Editorial Reviews

"Extraordinarily poignant.... Heartrending, tragic, powerful, this is not to be missed."—Publishers Weekly

"Wharton has done nothing that equals this."—New York Times Book Review (1923)

"Wharton has painted a moving landscape."—War, Literature & the Arts

From the Publisher

Wharton has painted a moving landscape.”

Literature & the Arts War

Richard Poe articulately narrates a moving story…[and] portrays Campton as a gruff, stubborn artist…Poe’s attentive narration and faithful vocalizations make this audiobook an absorbing listening experience.”

AudioFile

Wharton has done nothing that equals this.”

New York Times Book Review (1923)

Richard Poe articulately narrates a moving story of parents struggling to deal with their son’s departure for WWI. The novel focuses on middle-aged American painter John Campton and his former wife, Julia Brant, who come together when their son, George, is drafted into the French army. Poe portrays Campton as a gruff, stubborn artist; this overarching characterization nicely contrasts with the moments when his intense emotion for his son breaks through. Poe’s portrayal of young George in a youthful, cheerful cadence also provides contrast. Wharton’s story artfully puts the listener in Campton’s shoes, and Poe’s attentive narration and faithful vocalizations make this audiobook an absorbing listening experience. D.M.W. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

OCTOBER 2019 - AudioFile