The Custom of the CountryEdith Wharton's satiric anatomy of American society in the first decade of the twentieth century both appalled and fascinated its first reviewers, and established her as a major novelist. Custom 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 beauty began better Binch Bowen Charles Bowen Clare Van Degen course Dagonet daughter dinner divorce door drawing-room dress Driscoll Edith Wharton Elmer Moffatt eyes face fact Fairford father feel felt Fifth Avenue Frusk gave girl glance guess hand Harry Lipscomb Heeny Heeny's House of Mirth 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 Peter Van Degen Popple Popple's Princess Ralph Marvell Raymond de Chelles Rolliver round Roviano Saint Désert seemed sense Shallum silence smile social Spragg St Moritz stared stood suppose talk tell there's things thought told tone turned Undine Undine's Washington Square Wharton what's wife woman wondered York young