Ethan Frome

I finally read Edith Wharton's little masterpiece. The writing is brilliant, as one would expect– economical but still palpably descriptive of both inner and outer experience. The story is utterly compelling, right down to the nasty plot twist ending. Biting humor affords the reader a nervous chuckle now and then. But I can't think of another book in which the author is so cruel to her protagonist. Why must Ethan be consigned to hell on earth? Is he being punished for being a naive dreamer? For his self-sacrifice for the sake of moral duty? For lusting in his heart? Just for being poor? I guess if God did it to Job...