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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
dknippling's review against another edition
3.0
A couple of good tales, lots of really insightful writing...And endings that just cut off. "Wait, this isn't even an ending." The actual ghost stories were the best of the lot.
abject_reptile's review against another edition
4.0
I'm ambivalent about this collection. On the one hand - acute observations about human nature, fine descriptive passages, interesting characters. On the other hand - endings so abrupt that the doorbell must have rung just as the author was putting together the final paragraphs. The closing sentence of one story left me baffled as to its meaning, and the protagonist of the last story - after reams of dithering introspection - ought to have disengaged from her useless wastrel of a husband. 'Afterwards' was a fine ghost story but would have been more effective if it had ended once the penny had dropped for the reader. As for 'The Eyes' - too obvious by far. Even so, I've committed myself to 4 stars and I'll stick by them.
lcmilewski's review against another edition
5.0
Edith Wharton's stories are masterful in that they aren't often plot-driven but manage to be enthralling to read anyway. I don't think there was a single story in this collection I didn't love. The writing is beautiful, the characters real and alternately hilarious and tragic. They may have been written a long time ago, but there are echoes of them in people you know, love, and despise.
franklekens's review against another edition
4.0
Ik werk me door al Whartons verhalen heen, min of meer in omgekeerd chronologische volgorde, en dit vind ik tot nu toe een van haar meest geslaagde bundels. Hoogste aantal interessante verhalen, weinig rommel.
jdorchen's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This is an anthology of short stories. She's just great. My favorite is "His Father's Son," but they're all excellent.
wslockard's review against another edition
2.0
Difficult to tell if Wharton actually enjoyed writing any of these short stories.
I am summarinzing them like this:
"The Bolted Door." A wealthy uncle dies via poisoned melon. The murder culprit is the nephew, eventually feels very guilty, but all his privilege prevents him from jail. Last resort is a sanitorium.
"Daunt Diana." Collectors of ancient Roman antiquities are absolute freaks.
"The Debt." Nerd honors his mentor's legacy by proving him bogus.
"Full Circle." Author of a book titled "Diadems and Faggots" receives too much fan mail.
"The Legend." People make idiots of themselves when spending time with a supposed famous philosopher.
"The Eyes." When you're about to make bad choices, think about what your face will look like in twenty years.
"The Blond Beast." I have no idea what happens in this story. It's about inheritance and bible classes?
"Afterward." a ghost sighting leads to a husband's disappearance. (my synopsis actually makes the story sound interesting. It isn't really.)
"The Letters." Young wife discovers that her lazy husband is also illiterate.
I am summarinzing them like this:
"The Bolted Door." A wealthy uncle dies via poisoned melon. The murder culprit is the nephew, eventually feels very guilty, but all his privilege prevents him from jail. Last resort is a sanitorium.
"Daunt Diana." Collectors of ancient Roman antiquities are absolute freaks.
"The Debt." Nerd honors his mentor's legacy by proving him bogus.
"Full Circle." Author of a book titled "Diadems and Faggots" receives too much fan mail.
"The Legend." People make idiots of themselves when spending time with a supposed famous philosopher.
"The Eyes." When you're about to make bad choices, think about what your face will look like in twenty years.
"The Blond Beast." I have no idea what happens in this story. It's about inheritance and bible classes?
"Afterward." a ghost sighting leads to a husband's disappearance. (my synopsis actually makes the story sound interesting. It isn't really.)
"The Letters." Young wife discovers that her lazy husband is also illiterate.
jenmcgee's review against another edition
4.0
A set of character studies--and character studies cleverly disguised as ghost stories--that has some fascinating pieces. The two most overt ghost stories are probably my favorites, as they use the supernatural to explore the hearts of two different men. Sometimes witty, sometimes heartbreaking, always rather remote and inquisitive rather than passionate.
debjazzergal's review against another edition
3.0
Please don't confuse this selection of short stories with ghost stories. They are, however, very enjoyable.
finny's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0