Title: A
Backward Glance
Author: Edith
Wharton
Host: Vicky
Our gracious hostess had laid a proper table but the warm
spring night prompted us to abandon all inhibition and move the feast outside. There we enjoyed the peaceful view of
the lake, the attentions of an adorable watchdog, and the travel stories from
Steve’s recent tour of China. As
it turns out, he was more forthcoming with personal details than our dear Edith
Wharton.
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| Moveable Feast Before External Transfer |
Insights and Opinions
+ Published in 1934 just three years before her
death, this autobiography is more notable for what it doesn’t reveal about
Edith Wharton than what it does. As
Gail pointed out, missing is the story of her difficult relationship with her
mother which led to her lifetime of reading and writing. Missing is the fact that she divorced
her husband and, definitely missing, is any mention of her long-term affair or publishing
career in erotica.
+ Shirley reminded us that the custom in autobiography at
the time was much different than the no-holds barred personal memoirs of today. But still…
+ Wharton was more candid with her observations of Henry
James and provided an entirely different portrait of him than the stuffy
character we encountered in The Master
by Colm Toibin. She obviously took pains to correct the public
misperception. Her insights into
his work – as well as other writers of the time -- were among the best parts of the book for most.
+ Vicky most enjoyed her observations about the writing life
and the parts of the book devoted to her own novels.
+ Perhaps the most astounding revelation was the fact that Wharton
was on the French front lines during World War I where she sent regular
dispatches to a New York newspaper.
+ As Steve pointed out, the book demanded your full attention
and took you down many different avenues, but it served as a vivid reminder of
Wharton’s powers as a writer, keen observer, and social critic.
Oddments and Telling Details
+ While attempting to look up every new vocabulary word
encountered in the book, starting with “bavolet” on page one, Shirley
discovered a hat dictionary online.
(She gave up after 48 words.)
+ Steve has a memoir about the Boundary Waters coming out
with History Press that will include the personal stories that didn’t make it
into his first book.
+ One of Vicky’s poems has been included in a new anthology
and she participated in the Loft’s conference for Writers Over 50. Interesting to note that registrations
for this conference filled in one day!
+ The June meeting is being hosted by Lois on June 18 when we’ll finally discuss Catherine the Great. Arcadia is still on the list for July but Joann is now
decidedly less enthused by the prospect of revisiting the commune.
