A review by sarahcoller
The Old Maid: The 'Fifties by Roxana Robinson, Jennifer Mooney, Edith Wharton

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

In my attempt to read more American authors and also to give Wharton a try after my slogging through Ethan Frome several years ago, I decided to read this short story. It was very sad and I didn't at all like how it ended. However, I've got to give her props for addressing this subject at a time when people just didn't talk about these things, and also for really understanding the heart of the disillusioned wife. While I didn't like the story, my esteem for Wharton has gone up the tiniest bit and I'm willing to try something else short by her. She has an Austen-esque feeling to her writing --- telling stories about the people she knew in the setting she knew them --- and sarcastically pointing out their character flaws. While Wharton goes a little darker and deeper than Austen, the intent is similar and it made me respect her. Maybe I should reread Ethan Frome...