The Custom of the Country

By: Edith Wharton

Narrated by: Barbara Caruso

The first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for literature, Edith Wharton stands among the finest writers of early 20th-century America. In The Custom of the Country, Wharton’s scathing social commentary is on full display through the beautiful and manipulative Undine Spragg. When Undine convinces her nouveau riche parents to move to New York, she quickly injects herself into high society. But even a well-to-do husband isn’t enough for Undine, whose overwhelming lust for wealth proves to be her undoing.

Public Domain (P)2003 Recorded Books, LLC

Fascinating story

I read that Sofia Coppola will be making this book into a movie. I can't wait for its release!

wonderful

A fascinating and interesting description of a particular time before the Great War. The narrator was excellent.

Narcissistic

I have never read a main character as distasteful and narcissistic then this one. I was glad when she was down on her luck . And thought other characters ignorant to have anything to do with her. I walked away feeling sorry for Paul. And my distaste for his mother increased.

Delightful!!

A friend recommended this to me after seeing how much I adore F. Scott Fitzgerald. Of course, her writing is different, but it is similarly delightful!! I enjoyed this to the fullest!!

Is there a more unlikable character in literature?

Scarlett O’Hara at least loved Tara and Ashley Wilkes. But Undine Spragg has no redeeming qualities! That said, I listened to all 15+ hours because Edith Wharton is a master story teller whose insights and observations of social behaviors is unmatched.