• Title: The Touchstone
• Author: Edith Wharton
• Genre/Subject: American literature
• Publisher: Kindle
• Publication Date: 1900
• Start date: 8/14/24
• Finish date: 8/15/24

Review:

It’s been a while, a long time really since I read anything by Edith Wharton and I realize now how much I have missed that. Edith Wharton rarely disappoints and this is no exception.

The Touchstone was Wharton’s first published novel, although she did have one self published in her teens called Fast and Loose. I believe a collection of short stories also preceded this. Also I call this a novel but it could be considered a novella or novellette as it comes in just around 100 pages.

The Touchstone is right in line with most of Wharton’s later novels in that it explores psychological and emotional themes. You don’t have any car chases in a Wharton novel but you will find a lot to keep you reading. That’s why Wharton’s books remain in the literary canon to this day.

The book centers around a man named Stephen Glennard and his wife Alexa. I don’t want to spoil it for you but it involves no adultery or anything like that. Instead, it focuses on one of those moral dilemmas that involve either taking money or abiding by one’s better moral judgement and the consequences that ensue.

Wharton delivers the narrative in her elegant prose that never loses that Gilded Age New York flavor she became famous for. Sort of American Royalty but teetering constantly on the edge of bankruptcy. I love the edginess and anxiety that comes through. I love how you can really identify with whether that sure thing investment is going to come through or not.

This was a good short and fast read that left me satisfied.