Summer

About “Summer”

Summer is a novel by Edith Wharton that was published in 1917. It was one of the first American novels to explore a young woman's sexual awakening. The story follows Charity Royall, a passionate and proud woman from humble beginnings, and her intense relationship with Lucius Harney, a young man from the city. Set in the Berkshires, the novel was praised by notable figures such as Joseph Conrad and Howard Sturgis. It was compared to Madame Bovary and is noted for challenging traditional romantic love stories. The novel is described as an affirmation of sexual love and is considered one of Wharton's greatest works.