Fruit of the Tree

Wharton, Edith - FIRST EDITION THUS

ISBN 10: 0860684016 / ISBN 13: 9780860684015

Published by Virago London, 1984

About this Item

A first edition thus, with an exclusive introduction by Marilyn French. Square and tight, this is in a remarkable condition for a paperback of this age. It has a discrete blind stamp of a former owner, but no written in name. This looks like an unread high quality paperback from the early period in Virago's editions. Clean and tight. Language: eng Language: eng 0.0 Language: eng 0.0 Language: eng 0.0 Language: eng.

Seller Inventory # ABE-11379456840

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Fruit of the Tree
• Publisher: Virago London
• Publication Date: 1984
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0860684016
• ISBN 13: 9780860684015
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 1st Edition.
• Condition: Fine

About this title

Synopsis

Originally published in 1907, this little known novel by the author of The Age of Innocence and Ethan Frome was considered controversial for its frank treatment of labor and industrial conditions, drug addiction, mercy killing, divorce, and second marriages.John Amherst, an idealistic middle manager in a New England textile mill, is committed to improving the deplorable working conditions of the laborers in his charge. But upper management, whose only concern is maximizing profits, frustrates his efforts. When Amherst eventually marries Bessy Westmore, the widow of the former mill owner, he is able at last to initiate an ambitious project of reform.But happiness for John and Bessy proves to be short-lived. It becomes quickly clear that Bessy does not understand and cannot share her new husband's passion for just labor conditions and industrial reform. She even resents the time he devotes to his work and the way in which his expenditures impact her extravagant lifestyle.Complicating the situation is the strong friendship that Bessy's old friend, Justine, develops with Amherst. Employed as a live-in tutor for Bessy's daughter, Justine eventually finds herself in an untenable position. How she reacts under pressure has lasting consequences for herself and those around her.In The Fruit of the Tree, Wharton has created a gripping tale full of psychological insights, deft social portraiture, and profound ethical questions that remain challenging even today.

About the Author

Edith Wharton (1862-1937) is best known as a novelist of "Old New York" society. Born to a privileged family in New York City, she spent much of her life living abroad. Among her numerous novels, short stories, and travel writings are The House of Mirth, Ethan Frome, and the Pulitzer prize-winning Age of Innocence. She died in France at her villa outside Paris. DONNA CAMPBELL is Assistant Professor of English at Gonzaga University. She is the author of Resisting Regionalism: Gender and Naturalism in American Fiction, 1885-1915. She lives in Spokane, Washington.