The Valley of Decision

Name: The Valley of Decision
Author: Edith Wharton

By Edith Wharton

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American Literature Novels

About This Book

A neglected boy of aristocratic lineage is brought back to his ancestral manor and watches, with a child's curiosity, the faded rituals, superstitions, and rigid hierarchies of an old family. Through his return and his mother's uneasy adjustment, the narrative follows interactions among relatives, retainers, and local legend as pressures of tradition confront emerging impulses and personal longing. The action moves from entrenched customs toward moments of moral reckoning, tracing how individual choices reshape loyalties and determine tangible rewards or losses for the characters involved.

About the Author

Edith Wharton

Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was an American novelist, short story writer, and designer, known for her keen observations of the American upper class and her exploration of social mores. Her most celebrated work, "The Age of Innocence," won the Pulitzer Prize in 1921 and reflects her critical perspective on the constraints of society. Wharton's literary contributions extend to various genres, including novels, poetry, and travel writing, with notable titles such as "Ethan Frome" and "A Motor-Flight Through France." Throughout her career, she adeptly navigated themes of love, betrayal, and the complexities of human relationships, establishing her as a significant figure in American literature.