The Touchstone

In The Touchstone, Edith Wharton demonstrates her ability to weave a complex and gripping tale in a short amount of space. The story follows Stephen Glennard, a young man who rejects the affections of a brilliant but troubled novelist, Alice Staverton, in favor of pursuing wealth and status. As he climbs the social ladder, he stumbles upon an opportunity to sell a series of love letters from Alice to another man, bringing him fame and fortune. However, as years pass, guilt and regret begin to eat away at Glennard's conscience. The letters come back to haunt him from the dead, as he realizes the true price he paid for success.Wharton's prose is sharp and incisive, and she expertly captures the subtle nuances of high society. The Touchstone is a masterful example of the novella form, showcasing Wharton's skill in creating a complex and satisfying story in a limited space. Despite its brevity, the novella tackles themes of love, regret, and the power of literature itself.As part of The ART OF THE NOVELLA series, The Touchstone is a must-read for lovers of classic literature and those seeking to explore the art of the novella form. The series celebrates a form of writing that is often overlooked by academics and publishers but beloved by some of literature's greatest minds. Edith Wharton's The Touchstone is a shining example of the power of the novella to tell a gripping and unforgettable story.