The Custom of the CountryCustom of the Country follows the career of Undine Spragg, recently arrived in New York from the midwest and determined to conquer high society. Glamorous and selfish, mercenary and manipulative, her principal assets are her striking beauty, her tenacity, and her father's money. With her sights set on an advantageous marriage, Udine pursues her schemes in a world of shifting values, where triumph is swiftly followed by disillusion. The novel superbly captures post-Civil War America, a country where the ruthlessness of business leaders and politicians was matched by that of society's aspirants. |
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ain't amused answer Apex asked awfully began better Binch Bowen chair Charles Bowen Clare Van Degen course Dagonet daughter dine dinner divorce door Dordogne drawing-room dress drew Driscoll Elmer Moffatt eyes face Fairford father feel felt friends gave gaze girl glance guess hand Harry Lipscomb heard Heeny Heeny's husband Indiana Jim Driscoll knew ladies laugh Laura lips Lipscomb looked Mabel Madame de Trézac Marquise marriage married Marvell's masseuse mother murmured never Nouveau Luxe once Paris Paul Paul's paused Peter Van Degen Popple Popple's Princess Ralph Marvell Raymond de Chelles Rolliver round Roviano Saint Désert seemed sense Shallum silence smile sorbed Spragg stared stood suppose talk tell there's things thought tion told tone turned Undine Undine's Washington Square West End Avenue What's wife woman York young