142. The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton

Novel Pairings

In today’s episode, we’re wrapping up Wharton in Winter with a conversation about The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton. We focus on Undine and question whether she’s a signature unlikable heroine or an anti-hero. Our conversation also digs into the other dynamic characters, themes of motherhood, greed, marriage, business, and Edith’s incredible writing. Every plot point builds to a bigger narrative in this timely classic. At the end of the episode, we share our complementary pairings , and we hope you add one to your TBR pile!

If you loved our extra nerdy discussion on the podcast today, we have even more content to enjoy over in our Novel Pairings Patreon community. Our Patreon is a great space to take part in public scholarship and talk about books with a smart, eclectic group of readers. Subscriptions start at just $5 a month, and yearly discounts are available. To learn more about our Patreon, visit patreon.com/novelpairings.

Shows Mentioned:

Mad Men

Breaking Bad

Selling Sunset

Downton Abbey

Books Mentioned:

Italo Calvino

Vanity Fair by William Thackeray

The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald

Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh

There Is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset

Emma by Jane Austen

Free Food For Millionares by Min Jun Lee

These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore

Marriage, a History: How Love Conquered Marriage by Stephanie Coontz

One Woman Show by Christine Coulson

Wahala by Nikki May

Trust by Hernan Diaz