Alison Larkin Presents Edith Wharton's New York Short Stories and The Parting Day: Volume I

By: Edith Wharton, Alison Larkin

Narrated by: Carrington MacDuffie

Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Alison Larkin Presents is delighted to publish these selected New York short stories by Edith Wharton, whose inside knowledge of New York's upper class is put to sparkling use here.

Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was an American novelist and short story writer from New York City and the first woman to win the Pulitzer prize for fiction.

Carrington MacDuffie is an American recording artist, writer, and voice actor who has narrated over 250 audiobooks and received numerous AudioFile Earphones and Audie awards.

This book contains:

• "A Cup of Cold Water"
• "A Journey"
• "The Reckoning"
• "Expiation"
• "The Portrait"
• "Full Circle"
• "Autres-Temps…Autres-Temps"
• "The Long Run"
• And the bonus poem: "The Parting Day"

Public Domain (P)2022 Alison Larkin Presents

Critic reviews

"Now available in audio, Wharton’s collection contains eight short stories and one bonus poem, originally published between 1880 and 1912. The lifestyle and mannerisms of New York’s early 20th-century aristocrats are richly brought to life by Wharton, who, born into old money, molded characters in the likeness of those she knew. Recurring themes include author struggles, the arts, and broken relationships. In “Full Circle,” Geoffrey Betton grapples with managing the stress brought on from the success of his first novel and the subsequent lack of success from his second. In “Expiation,” debut novelist Mrs. Fetherel frets about her novel being a failure until her uncle scandalizes it into success. Lost opportunity haunts Halston Merrick as he yearns for a romantic connection with his friend Paulina Trant in “The Long Run.” “The Reckoning” portrays the complexity of a failed marriage when Julia Westall’s second husband ends their marriage similarly to how she ended her marriage to her first husband. Exceptionally narrated by Carrington MacDuffie, who captures the tone and pacing of Wharton’s descriptive writing and brings out the poignancy of her memorable characters. VERDICT Recommended for libraries refreshing their audio classics." (Reviewed by Kym Goering, Library Journal, Mar 1, 2023)

Mad About Edith Wharton's New York Short Stories

Carrington MacDuffie’s rendition of Edith Wharton’s New York Short Stories is wonderful! Her flawless articulation without sensationalizing captures the inherent drama in Wharton’s graceful prose and brings to life the city’s seductive appeal and the struggles of its inhabitants to survive its social structures. I had forgotten how much I love reading Edith Wharton, and this audible book reminds me of why the author’s short stories are just as powerful as her novels and should be read out loud over and over again. I can’t wait for Volume II of The Parting Day!