The Greater Inclination - Wharton, Edith

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Biographie:
Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was an American novelist, short story writer, and designer, best known for her novels The Age of Innocence, The House of Mirth, and Ethan Frome. Wharton grew up traveling with her parents around Europe and was born into a rich household in New York City. Wharton was a gifted designer in addition to being a writer, and during her life she contributed to the interior design of several residences. Throughout World War I, she also served as a war journalist and was honored with the French Legion of Honor for her humanitarian efforts. In 1921, Wharton became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for literature for her book The Age of Innocence. She kept writing up until her death in 1937, and she is regarded as one of the best American authors of the 20th century....

Sommaire:
Born into a prominent New York family in 1862, Edith Wharton was immersed in the city's elite social circles from an early age. This upbringing provided her with intimate knowledge of the Gilded Age's upper-class society, which she later depicted in her writing. Fluent in multiple languages, Wharton was well-educated and widely traveled, enriching her literary perspective.Wharton's literary career flourished with the publication of novels such as The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence, the latter earning her the distinction of being the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1921. Her works often explore themes of societal constraints and personal freedom, reflecting her critical view of the rigid social norms of her time. Beyond fiction, she co-authored The Decoration of Houses, showcasing her expertise in design and architecture.During World War I, Wharton demonstrated her humanitarian spirit by supporting the French war effort, organizing aid for refugees and the injured. Her experiences during this period influenced her later works and solidified her legacy as a keen observer of human nature and society. Edith Wharton passed away in 1937 in France, leaving behind a rich literary heritage that continues to be celebrated....