Edith Wharton (1862-1937) wrote 15 novels, 7 novellas, and 85 short stories. She is best known for her novels, especially:

• The Age of Innocence
• Ethan Frome
• The House of Mirth

I have spent some time with each of these three novels. I say “have spent some time” because I have started all three at various times and never managed to get to the end of any one of them. I abandoned them! Two of them I have abandoned more than once..

I have abandoned Wharton’s novels not because she is a poor writer. She is clearly a great writer. No I abandoned her novels because as a reader I just ran out of steam. The “story” of the novel could not carry me when I was too tired or distracted to go on.

That to me is the essential problem every novel-writer faces: How do you keep your reader turning page after page for so many pages?

For the short story writer that essential problem is eliminated. Especially for readers like me. That means the writer’s full gifts to create the tone, mood, plot, idea, effect can be fully appreciated. The writer of the short story is enabled to shine as artist in a way that a novel writer does not necessarily get.

I have now read a number of Edith Wharton short stories. I love them. The one I am reviewing today is “Roman Fever,” one of her more popular stories.

Roman Fever was published in 1934, toward the end of her life. It is the story of two Middle-aged women from Manhattan, Grace Ansley and Alida Slade. They have been friends since childhood, their bond though is complicated. Now, on a Roman holiday with their daughters, Barbara and Jenny, the women’s past tensions surface. Grace views Alida’s life as a disappointment, and shares a revelation about a letter from a past Roman visit that threatens to upend their long-standing dynamic.

The ending of “Roman Fever” is the key to the popularity of the story. But it is Wharton’s ability to quickly sketch such absolutely memorable characters that makes the story ultimately work so well on so many different levels. Her skill as a writer is on full display here. I highly recommend it!