The Reef (1912). By: Edith Wharton: Novel (en Inglés)
Reseña del libro "The Reef (1912). By: Edith Wharton: Novel (en Inglés)"
Edith Wharton ( born Edith Newbold Jones; January 24, 1862 - August 11, 1937) was a Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist, short story writer, and designer. The Reef is a 1912 novel by American writer Edith Wharton. It concerns a romance between a widow and her former lover. The novel takes place in Paris and rural France, but primarily features American characters. While writing the novel, Edith Wharton visited England, Sicily, and Germany, among other locations.In a letter to Bernard Berenson in November 1912, Wharton expressed regret regarding her novel, calling it a "poor miserable lifeless lump". She wrote, "Anyhow, remember it's not me, though I thought it was when I was writing it-& that next time I'm going to do something worthwhile!! Plot: George Darrow, an American diplomat residing in London, has remained in contact with his former love, Anna Leath, who had previously married another man. Now widowed, she resumes contact with Darrow. Darrow desires to continue the relationship he had with Anna but remains concerned about her commitment to the relationship.The novel begins with Darrow preparing to join Anna in France when he receives a telegram ordering him to wait "til thirtieth" because of an "unexpected obstacle" - one of many such delays Anna has ordered. Deeply humiliated and disappointed, Darrow boards the boat regardless and runs into the young Sophy Viner, a woman he had previously encountered but never gotten to know thoroughly . Sophy, although down on her luck, is an ambitious aspiring actress determined to start a new life in France. Enthralled, Darrow convinces her to spend a few days with him so he can show her around Paris. During their time spent together, the two enter into a romantic affair. Months later, Darrow meets Anna at her French country chateau at Givré. They speak of their future and of Anna's stepson Owen, who wishes to marry a woman of which his grandmother, Dowager Marquise de Chantelle, does not approve. Additionally, Darrow informs Anna of his plans for their future together; he hopes to move to South America together for his job. It is revealed that Anna had hired a governess for her young daughter, Effie. That governess is Sophy Viner. Sophy, embarrassed by the situation, begs Darrow not to say anything that might jeopardize her employment. Darrow tries to convince Sophy not to marry Owen, and Sophy accuses him of jealousy. Darrow admits to Anna that he knew Sophy already. Anna quizzes him about Sophy, out of concern for Owen, who is engaged to Sophy. Darrow agrees with the Marquise that the union would not be wise. The Dowager Marquise requests that an old family friend, Adelaide Painter, talk some sense into the family. However, when Adelaide supports the union, the Marquise concedes to her grandson. The road is clear for Owen and Sophy to marry, which also frees the path for Darrow and Anna. Sophy unexpectedly breaks off the engagement to Owen. Owen becomes suspicious of Darrow's influence over Sophy. The main characters then attempt to figure out what happened by interrogating each other. This part of the novel shows an increase in dialogue, and an unusually high rate of dialogue for Wharton's novels. Sophy eventually reveals to Darrow that she has loved him since Paris. The affair between Darrow and Sophy is revealed to Anna. Darrow attempts to explain that the affair was short lived, but Anna cannot live with the knowledge and becomes convinced that the revelation destroyed any potential for a future relationship. Despite the fact that Anna believes herself to be well matched with Darrow, she is unable to overcome her jealousy of Sophy. She becomes obsessed with imagining the time they spent together. Owen leaves for Spain. Sophy is reemployed by Mrs. Murrett, her previous employer, and moves to India. Anna encounters Sophy's large, slovenly sister and her lover, which gives Anna the perspective that Sophy is not as much of a fallen woman as she originally thought
Edith Wharton (Nueva York, 24 de enero de 1862 – Saint-Brice-sous-Forêt, 11 de agosto de 1937) fue una novelista, ensayista y diseñadora estadounidense reconocida internacionalmente por su estilo refinado y su mirada crítica hacia las normas sociales de su tiempo. Procedente de una de las familias más acomodadas de Nueva York y formada en un entorno cosmopolita que incluyó largas estancias en Europa, desarrolló desde joven un interés especial por la literatura, la arquitectura y el arte, lo que nutrió profundamente su obra.
A finales del siglo XIX debutó en el ámbito literario con relatos y con la publicación de The Decoration of Houses (1897), un influyente ensayo sobre diseño de interiores escrito junto a Ogden Codman Jr. Su reconocimiento como novelista llegó con títulos como La casa de la alegría (1905) y Ethan Frome (1911), en los que retrató con gran sensibilidad las ambiciones, restricciones y contradicciones de la alta sociedad estadounidense.
El éxito definitivo de su carrera se consolidó en 1920 con La edad de la inocencia, novela que le valió el Premio Pulitzer en 1921, convirtiéndose en la primera mujer en recibir este galardón. A lo largo de su vida publicó más de 40 libros, entre novelas, ensayos y relatos, caracterizados por su ironía, elegancia estilística y penetrante visión social.
Instalada en Francia tras su separación de Edward Wharton, combinó la creación literaria con un compromiso activo en obras humanitarias durante la Primera Guerra Mundial. Sus últimos años los dedicó a seguir escribiendo y a cultivar su pasión por los jardines y el diseño arquitectónico en residencias como “The Mount”.
Su obra, traducida a numerosos idiomas y aún vigente, ha sido estudiada por su aporte al realismo literario moderno y por su capacidad para iluminar las tensiones entre el deseo individual y las convenciones sociales, manteniéndola como una de las autoras más influyentes de la literatura universal.
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