Madame de Treymes by Edith Wharton

Name: Madame de Treymes
Author: Edith Wharton

The novel revolves around the story of John Durham, an American diplomat who becomes infatuated with Madame de Treymes, a beautiful and enigmatic French aristocrat. As their relationship deepens, Durham finds himself entangled in a complex web of deceit and moral ambiguity, forcing him to confront the darker aspects of his own nature and the corrupting influence of high society.

By Edith Wharton · First published 1907 · Genre: Novella, Realism, Social Criticism · 10 chapters · 23,018 words

First lines

John Durham, while he waited for Madame de Malrive to draw on her gloves, stood in the hotel doorway looking out across the Rue de Rivoli at the afternoon brightness of the Tuileries gardens.

His European visits were infrequent enough to have kept unimpaired the freshness of his eye, and he was always struck anew by the vast and consummately ordered spectacle of Paris: by its look of having been boldly and deliberately planned as a background for the enjoyment of life, instead of being forced into grudging concessions to the festive instincts, or barricading itself against them in unenlightened ugliness, like his own lamentable New York.

What this Textopian page supports

Madame de Treymes is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edith Wharton, dated 1907 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Edith Wharton
Date: 1907 CE
Language: English
Genres: Novella, Realism, Social Criticism, Psychological Fiction
Length: 23,018 words
Structure: 10 chapters, 466 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Novella — The work is a short narrative that focuses on a specific character and event.
Realism — The narrative presents a detailed, unembellished depiction of real life, often focusing on the middle or lower classes.
Social Criticism — The narrative critiques the social norms and structures of the time, particularly those related to marriage and gender roles.
Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the psychological and emotional states of the characters, exploring their motivations and inner workings.