Author(s): Edith Wharton

Classic Fiction

Edith Wharton's classic novel, The Touchstone, is a timeless story of love, loss, and redemption. Set in the late 19th century, the novel follows the life of a young woman as she navigates her way through the social norms of her world. From a loveless marriage to a passionate affair, The Touchstone is a poignant exploration of the human heart and its capacity to love. With vivid descriptions and complex characters, it is an unforgettable journey of self-discovery and transformation. A true classic of American literature, The Touchstone is a must-read for anyone looking for an engaging, thought-provoking story.

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.