Ethan Frome finds himself, as do so many people, in a marriage that died long ago. But in the time this story takes place, divorce was not possible. Then appears the woman that would...if she could... define his life, make things wonderful, create all the elements essential for the condition of love: deep and lasting and painfully wonderful and elusive love. And she does so - as only Edith Wharton can set out in language so sublime that you can feel the pulse of all and the tension. You can taste the pain! Would Ethan have the courage to do what was needed? That's the story of this book - the balance between right and wrong, good and evil, love and despair .... life and dead-ended nothingness.