The Reef by Edith Wharton (1912)

Name: The Reef
Author: Edith Wharton

The novel revolves around the story of a widow, Anna Leath, who falls in love with a younger man, George Darrow. The two meet while traveling and begin an affair, but their social differences and personal obligations threaten to tear them apart. As they navigate their feelings for each other, they must confront the societal expectations placed upon them and decide whether their love is strong enough to overcome the obstacles in their path.

By Edith Wharton · First published 1912 · Genre: Romance, Drama, Psychological Fiction · 39 chapters · 115,250 words

First lines

"Unexpected obstacle. Please don't come till thirtieth. Anna."

All the way from Charing Cross to Dover the train had hammered the words of the telegram into George Darrow's ears, ringing every change of irony on its commonplace syllables: rattling them out like a discharge of musketry, letting them, one by one, drip slowly and coldly into his brain, or shaking, tossing, transposing them like the dice in some game of the gods of malice; and now, as he emerged from his compartment at the pier, and stood facing the wind-swept platform and the angry sea beyond, they leapt out at him as if from the crest of the waves, stung and blinded him with a fresh fury of derision.

What this Textopian page supports

The Reef is listed on Textopian as a novel by Edith Wharton, dated 1912 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: 1912 CE
Language: English
Genres: Romance, Drama, Psychological Fiction, Social Criticism
Length: 115,250 words
Structure: 39 chapters, 2,081 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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How does this novel by Edith Wharton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Romance first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Romance — The narrative revolves around complex relationships and romantic entanglements.
Drama — The story is filled with emotional conflicts and dramatic turns.
Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the psychological states and motivations of the characters.
Social Criticism — The narrative critiques societal norms and expectations of the time.