Summer

Charity Royall is a girl from a small town who spends her days face down in the grass dreaming. Enter Lucius Harney, artistic, city guy who for a few months sweeps Charity off of her feet, rescuing her from small town life in North Dormer. Charity turns out to be little more than a side dish for Harney who goes on to marry Ms Balch; Charity is left depressed, pregnant and forced to marry the middle-age man who raised her, to save her name. I love all things Wharton so I may be a bit biased but I disagree that the ending was poor. It's pretty standard that Wharton's books do not have a happy ending; the characters have an amazing, brief love affair, but in the end, there is always some impediment, as in Ethan Frome and The Age of Innocence. For the realists out there, read this book; those who must have a happy ending, stick to fairytales!

Summer and Ethan Frome are often referred to as companion novels. The only thing these two novels have in common is location and doomed romance. While doomed romance seems to be a major theme in much of Wharton's work, this book pushes the envelope by dealing not only with sex (The House of Mirth also implies some sexuality), but also abortion. I found this novel more engaging than Ethan Frome, perhaps because the central character is a young woman, flawed and realistic, who is able to deal with the consequences of her failed romance (however horrid they may be) rather than a brooding man who seems to think if he can't be in the relationship he wants, leaving his shrewish wife for a sweet young woman, he would rather not live. By the end, I was hoping for a happy ending for Charity.

This Seahorse edition is supposedly annotated according to its description, but it is not. It does contain a detailed author’s biography at the end, but other than that it is just the main text. That said, if you don’t mind missing out on the annotations, this is a very good ebook edition, very well organized for maneuverability within the text and pleasingly organized. A very decent reading copy for the price.

SUMMER is one of Edith Wharton's best novels, in many ways on par with ETHAN FROME, to which it is often compared, especially with regard to its rural setting. As a child Charity Royall, born of degenerate parents and living in squalor on "the Mountain," is adopted by Lawyer Royall after her drunken father is sent to prison. Years later after Charity has grown up, Lawyer Royall wants to marry her, but she rejects him.

Later she meets Lucius Harney and they have a "summer" affair. When she learns she is pregnant, Harney abandons her, telling her he is already engaged to a respectable girl in his hometown. Charity returns to the "Mountain" where she attends her mother's burial and then stays on until Lawyer Royall rescues her again and this time marries her.

Wharton captures the sordidness of the "Mountain" and the oiliness of Lawyer Royall with unrelenting realism. These are hard people living in a harsh environment (as were the characters in ETHAN FROME), and no one escapes. The burial scene with Charity and her mother is among the best scenes in all of Whaton's works. This is a powerful novel, published just as America was about to enter the Great War.

Edith Wharton's name is often mentioned in discussions of great American authors. Until I read this book, I was unfamiliar with her work. But wanting to read a classic this summer, and not having read any of the female authors, I decided on Wharton's novel titled Summer. It is a short read, about a young woman, and a seemingly interesting coming of age story. It seemed ideal.

However, from the beginning this story seemed flat. It should have been passionate, filled with love and hate. Charity Royall, the young woman of the story, should have been interesting, lovely or ugly, and as an orphan, eager to assert herself. Instead, she is indolent, is never really proactive, and ends up letting everyone else make decisions for her.

The men in her life are almost equally indecisive. Mr. Royall, her guardian and near seducer, more than twice her age, is kind one minute and brutish the next. Her young lover, Lucius Harney, at first seems bright and eager. In the end, even he just lets events roll over him, petering out without any action on his part.

There is no one to like in this tale and the important events of Charity's life in this one summer just happen. About the only thing the reader can say in the end is that she was lucky her foolishness didn't ruin her life. I was hoping for more: beautiful prose, interesting characters or events, wonderful scenery, something that would stand out and make me glad I read the novel. Not to be.

This wonderful coming of age and novel of a young women's sexual awaking could only have shocked and amazed those who read it when it was published. Things like this just weren't said and certainly not by the likes of a female author. There were hardly any women authors' anyway. But, Edith Wharton is one of the greatest of all time and things such as worrying what others think of her, never crossed her mind. She is a rare and wonderful talent who is certainly underrated as one of the greatest in history. I think she's absolutely brilliant. And, "Summer" is a wonderful treat for a real reader.

Old lawyer finally marries stepdaughter after nearly loosing her to young fellow (probably from Dartmouth). Confused but fertile boyfriend opts for other woman after impregnating mountain girl who had treated him royally. Old Dan gets a workout! Be sure to have a dictionary in hand. Edith uses a lot of old words. Why aren't more authors named "Edith"? This book was worth twice its price. Edith will be famous some day if she keeps turning out stuff like this. We enjoyed it!

beautiful, lyrical, and fine characterization. i loved lucius harney, and i liked how mr. royall was deeper than he appeared. this is a fine literary work, and for those who loved Ethan Frome like I did, you'll easily love this book as well. the ending was sad but realistic, and i don't think charity was going to be unhappy with the way it ended, i think she was pretty satisfied. the one thing i was unclear about though, was just what was the story with mr. royall and charity's mother? that part had me slightly confused.

I cannot deny that the ending of this book gave me quite an unwelcome shock as it suddenly verred away from the popular love story formula. However, when I actually thought about the ending I could understand why it was important for Wharton to ensure that this book had the same degree of social realism as her other books and therefore Charity and Lucius could not end up happily ever after. Although some reviewers found the ending unsatisfying I think found it more satisfying because it was realistic and therefore believable rather than being idealistic and fantastic. Also it therefore does not undermine Wharton's constant criticism of small town mentality, snobbery and narrow mindedness or Charity's independance and instinctive sense of propriety by having the good fairy come and sort out an impossible situation. If the ending had been predestined to be happy for Charity I do not think there would have been such an intense sense of suspense maintained throughout the book.

I cannot deny that the ending of this book gave me quite an unwelcome shock as it suddenly verred away from the popular love story formula. However, when I actually thought about the ending I could understand why it was important for Wharton to ensure that this book had the same degree of social realism as her other books and therefore Charity and Lucius could not end up happily ever after. Although some reviewers found the ending unsatisfying I think found it more satisfying because it was realistic and therefore believable rather than being idealistic and fantastic. Also it therefore does not undermine Wharton's constant criticism of small town mentality, snobbery and narrow mindedness or Charity's independance and instinctive sense of propriety by having the good fairy come and sort out an impossible situation. If the ending had been predestined to be happy for Charity I do not think there would have been such an intense sense of suspense maintained throughout the book.

Once again Ms. Wharton tells a gripping story of class distinctions in the Victorian age. Yet how many times has this happened in our time? A lovely young woman of a lower class meets a handsome young man of the upper class. Slowly their relationship escalates from kisses to making love. A woman's first love is held on a pedestal. She believes every word that issues from his mouth. Charity, our heroine, finds herself pregnant after receiving a note from her lover that he has gone away and will return, yet gossip holds that he is marrying someone of his own class. The betrayal, the gut-wrenching pain, the tears, the fear--it's all there, 19th century, 20th or even the 21st. Yet Wharton doesn't take the easy way out of this situation. She keeps you guessing up to the very end, and I applaud her for her courage. Today, with our penchant for happy endings, we forget about real life. This is a book every teenage girl should read. It might give them a moment's pause before offering the unique gift of their virginity to a young man before marriage. Take it from someone who's been there.

This is the first Edith Wharton book I've read, and I found the plot pretty weak. It's about a young woman who falls in love with a man from a higher social class, and the struggles she finds. I gather Wharton's Ethan Frome is on a similar subject, and might be better written. Fine for a quick read, but nothing to get excited about.

This is a great novel for its time (1917). I am sure it caused quite a stir when it was first published. I think it has lost much of its impact over the years. You really have to read between the lines to figure out what is going on. Maybe that is part of the beauty of this literature or maybe I have been out of AP English for too long. The plot of the novel, however, is timeless. A woman coming of age, falling in love, dealing with consequences, choosing paths.

The summary of the book did not really match what happened in the book. Most reviews say it is an erotic story, it's not even close. The characters are under developed. The relationships between them even less so. The story was interesting, but it wasn't worth reading for me.

Summer is a nod to Western Massachusetts and the sins of kin behind closed doors. A librarian, Charity, is taken from the hill people to live down in the village with the civilized. The first 25 pages were slow, but now it’s taking off. I’m reminded of Paul Bunyan and Rip Van Winkle type characters from the hills in juxtaposition with puritanical types in the village.

This is one of Wharton's most undersatisfactory novels. It had a great chance of turning into another THE AGE OF INNOCENCE or THE HOUSE OF MIRTH, but-as a previous online reviewer wrote- the ending was poor. So poor, that I will not even consider giving 4 stars because of the weak ending.

As some other readers have stated, the ending is rather disappointing. But after I thought about it, it seemed perfect because that is probably what would happen in real life. Charity did not want to have an abortion, and she was forced into an unwanted, but safe situation. I'd also like to say that i don't think that lucius harney abandoned her because he would have come back if charity didnt tell him it was ok. as said in the book, charity knew that he really loved HER so she was in a way at peace with everything

Out of all the Edith Wharton books I have read this is the best one. It is a touching story on love. It was filled with such power and conviction in each line that you have to wonder whether Ms. Wharton went through the same thing in her life. The way she is able to give such life to her characters especially that of the head strong Charity Royall is amazing. This is honestly the best book ever written.

Elizabeth Wharton's choice of words is delightful to read. The story is simple, few characters, set mainly in one town, which makes it easy read. The end even though predictable , leaves you wondering.

Okay,I fully admit to not being a reader of the classics but every once in a while I have to give one a try (I usually pick a small one). I gave this one a try four times and could never get past chapter two. Took it to work to loan to co-workers. It would leave and then come back quickly, each time abandoned. I found Wharton's storytelling lifeless. Maybe it's just this particular book and possibly I'll give her another try but certainly not in the near future.

I was on a book kick, and while looking for something appealing to read, I saw "summer" by Edith Wharton looking like something interesting to read. Well it was not! I did't like "Ethan Frome" but I thought of giving Wharton another chance but now I know I won't be reading her work anymore. The descriptions of new england are fascinating, lovely and wonderful. The descriptions of ribbons, fourth of july events, fireworks, and wonderful dresses is just awesome. The story, about Charity Royall who works in a library, lives with an old man whose her guardian and wants to marry her, falling in love with lucius harney, man about town, was horrible! sure, it glides you through, romanticizing you but the end leaves you with a thud!

do not read this book!

Though this book was written about one hundred years ago, the characteristics of the characters in the book are timeless. Some parts reflect the era and seem funny to us now - like it being risqué for a woman to be seen without a hat. I found the first 1/4 of the book to be slow moving - too much unnecessary description and just a slow plot. However, stick with it. Once things got going, I was hooked. You think it's predictable, then a plot twist changes things. Lots of times you can tell, but I didn't recognize some of the foreshadowing until afterwards. I recommend this book. I've heard from friends that some of Wharton's other books are good, as well.