Ethan Frome

An early twentieth century psychological thriller of sorts... Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton, written in 1911.  It was one of those stories that you just didn’t know what to think about the husband falling in love with his wife’s cousin (Mattie) who was working at the house to assist the sickly wife, Zenobia.  The setting was in a fictitious New England town, Starkfield.  It starts in current day where we are introduced to Frome, and then back in time to learn why Frome is lame.  Over the course we learn of the love triangle that develops as Frome and his Mattie get closer and closer.  Frome lies to his wife about venturing on an out of town trip so he can be with Mattie.  During the time together, Mattie breaks the wedding present dish (signaling the end of the marriage), the cat just happens to knock over.  After Zenobia returns she learns of the broken gift and tries to understand why.  Zenobia pushes Frome to gain resources to pay Mattie when she is told by her doctor she can no longer keep the house.  Frome tries to borrow money but is rebuffed.  Realizing that they will have to let Mattie go, Frome and Mattie concoct a plan to commit suicide together by riding a sleigh downhill into trees.  Frome’s guilt about his wife gets to him at the last minute and he avoids a direct hit, while Mattie is paralyzed.  The last chapter fast forwards to where we started with Zenobia now taking care of Mattie and Frome in his own pain losing the chance to be with Mattie and having his wife now care for her. Watch what you wish for huh?  The pains of Frome and his inability to escape his own farm, the cemetery of his family is literally his ball and chain.  How I often think how the things are family wants for us can become our own demise.  Frome could never escape and ends up watching the one he loves being cared for by the one he was incapable of taking care of.  Good depth of story.  A quick read.