There’s a great article in the New York Times’ travel section about Edith Wharton’s Paris. I’ve written about Edith Wharton several times before (here and here), but mostly in regard to her house in Massachusetts, The Mount.
The article details Mrs. Wharton’s life in Paris in the early years of the 20th century, before it was invaded by Americans looking for a cheap and exotic place to live and write.
She carried on an affair while living there, but it ended unhappily and she continued living in France until her death. She is buried there and as the Times says, her grave at Versailles is unvisited and untended. 
Be sure and watch the accompanying slide show, where these images are from. It’s got some great information. And while you’re on the New York Times’ site, check out the 100 great hotels in Europe under $150.
Thanks for the heads up and the link, I love Edith Wharton. I can't tell from the lighting, but is the yellow you have been searching for? Looks great with the floor. Looks warm and inviting. Maybe Edith was just trying to find a way to give you color advice!
ReplyDeleteThank you, I love/am intrigued by Edith Wharton, though always a little depressed after rereading her novels (never seem to end well...). Thanks for the fix. Trish
ReplyDeleteHow sad that her grave is basically untended & visited. Yet another great reason to visit Versaille. I will be sure to bring flowers! Thank you for providing this link; her story is so fascinating. Happy weekend to you ~
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've already cut out the 100 great hotels in Europe piece and pinned it to my board. I'm going in April and now have ANOTHER good reason to go to Versaille. Tres bien!
ReplyDeleteOh, we have parallel lifes, we will be in Paris next spring, this is so timely. I had pulled the article already for reference...
ReplyDeleteI adore Wharton's writings, she is a great American realist and I adore the strenght at this time to point out the situation of woman in society...Once outed you were most likely doomed.
Look at us now - hardly any scandal can pull a woman off society at large, on the contrary...
Which is not to say that I admire this development either.
It sad to see her grave unattended, but I will surely try to find it and pay some tribut!
Great post, most though provocing!
Have a sunny weekend!
Victoria
Two years ago I read that huge biography of Wharton that came out, while I was in Massachusetts. She was such a fussbudget about how her homes were run. Ironic, isn't it, that her grave is not tended to, and I was reading that a few years back, so still true, I am guessing. I have a photograph of her at her desk that is a sort of personal icon of mine. She had an interesting life, she had a cushioned pampered life, but I'm not sure she had a happy life.
ReplyDeleteMeg-can not wait to check into this-are we all Wharton devotees? As any woman- She had great loss and sorrow-Even in her privileged world. Her stories reflect that condition-that is one of the many reasons to revere her. I am sad- that her gravesite is untended. GT
ReplyDeleteTheresa Craig's book covers all of Wharton's houses, including the one in France, but Meg these pictures are wonderful. You always have great links!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the images from Edith Wharton's home. She is my favorite writer. I hat eto hear that her grave is untended. It seems such a brilliant and sensitive writer should be more celebrated. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteI was going to say the same thing about the beautiful yellows! So lovely....
ReplyDeleteUnquestionably one of the greatest writers this country has ever produced.
ReplyDeleteNow I feel guilty that for all the times I've been to Versailles, I've never visited her grave. I've always wanted to make a pilgrimage to the places where she lived in France anyway; perhaps this will be a spur.
(Homewood House offered a trip to The Mount last year or the year before, but it was expensive so I didn't go. Another pilgrimage awaits!)
The Hermione Lee biography was wonderful. Italian Villas is still my favorite Wharton.
ReplyDeletejust beautiful, what a divine interior!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
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