The Collected Works of Edith Wharton (eBook)

Edith Wharton, an American novelist, short story writer, and designer, stands as one of the early 20th century's literary luminaries. Born into a wealthy New York family on January 24, 1862, she was christened Edith Newbold Jones, from whence the saying 'keeping up with the Joneses' purportedly derives. Her life's journey encompasses over 40 books, including novels, short story collections, poetry, and non-fiction, many of which are gathered in 'The Collected Works of Edith Wharton'. Wharton's narrative style is distinguished by incisive social commentary and a deep interest in the inner lives and moral struggles of her characters. Achieving critical acclaim during her lifetime, Wharton broke social barriers by becoming the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction with her novel 'The Age of Innocence' in 1921. Furthermore, she held a nomination for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1927. Typically, her works dissect the rigid confines of upper-class society to which she was born while showcasing her adept understanding of cultural and psychological nuances. Among scholars, Wharton's writings are regarded as embodying the transitional period in American literature from a genteel tradition to a form embracing the modern sensibility. She died on August 11, 1937, in France, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneer among female writers and a sharp critic of social pretenses and human follies.