The Glimpses of the Moon
📘 About This Book
The Glimpses of the Moon Edith Wharton - Set in the 1920s, Glimpses of the Moon details the romantic misadventures of Nick Lansing and Susy Branch, a couple with the right connections but not much in the way of funds. They devise a shrewd bargain: they'll marry and spend a year or so sponging off their wealthy friends, honeymooning in their mansions and villas. As Susy explains, "We should really, in a way, help more than hamper each other. We both know the ropes so well; what one of us didn't see the other might - in the way of opportunities, I mean". The other part of the plan states that if either one of them meets someone who can advance them socially, they're free to dissolve the marriage. How their plan unfolds is a comedy of errors that will charm all fans of Wharton's work.Edith Newbold Jones was born in New York on January 24, 1862. Born into wealth, this background of privilege gave her a wealth of experience to eventually, after several false starts, produce many works based on it culminating in her Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Age Of Innocence. Marriage to Edward Robbins Wharton, who was 12 years older in 1885 seemed to offer much and for some years they travelled extensively. After some years it was apparent that her husband suffered from acute depression and so the travelling ceased and they retired to The Mount, their estate designed by Edith. By 1908 his condition was said to be incurable and prior to divorcing Edward in 1913 she began an affair, in 1908, with Morton Fullerton, a Times journalist, who was her intellectual equal and allowed her writing talents to push forward and write the novels for which she is so well known. Acknowledged as one of the great American writers with novels such as Ethan Frome and the House of Mirth among many. Wharton also wrote many short stories, including ghost stories and poems which we are pleased to publish. Edith Wharton died of a stroke in 1937 at the Domaine Le Pavillon Colombe, her 18th-century house on Rue de Montmorency in Saint-Brice-sous-Forêt.
📖 Summary
Edith Wharton presents a delightful departure from her famously tragic social critiques in her 1921 novel, The Glimpses of the Moon, offering readers a witty comedy of errors set against the glittering backdrop of the 1920s. The story centers on Nick Lansing and Susy Branch, a charming pair who possess all the right social connections but sorely lack the financial funds to maintain their luxurious lifestyles. Faced with the stark realities of poverty within a wealthy, superficial society, Nick and Susy devise a remarkably shrewd and cynical bargain. They decide to marry and spend the initial year or so sponging off their affluent friends, treating themselves to lavish honeymoons in magnificent mansions and picturesque villas across high society. As Susy pragmatically explains to Nick, they will genuinely help rather than hamper one another because they both know the ropes so well, allowing them to spot opportunities that the other might miss. However, their pragmatic arrangement comes with a major contingency clause: if either of them happens to meet someone else who can substantially advance their social and financial standing, they are completely free to dissolve the marriage amicably. What follows is a sparkling and humorous sequence of events as their clever plan unfolds in unexpected ways. Wharton uses her razor-sharp wit to dissect the mechanics of marriage, wealth, and social ambition in the Jazz Age, making this 235-page gem a wonderfully entertaining read. Fans of Wharton's work will find themselves charmed by the lighthearted tone, the vibrant settings, and the romantic misadventures of two protagonists trying to beat a materialistic system at its own game. The narrative balances satirical commentary with genuine emotional stakes as Nick and Susy navigate the fine line between calculated convenience and authentic affection. Ultimately, The Glimpses of the Moon stands out as a unique entry in Wharton's bibliography, proving her mastery not only in biting tragedy but also in clever, romantic comedy that continues to captivate modern readers.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Offers a lighter, more humorous side of Edith Wharton's writing style.
Features engaging and charming protagonists in Nick and Susy.
Provides a sharp and entertaining critique of 1920s high society.
Delivers a fast-paced plot filled with amusing romantic misadventures.
⚠️ Cons
The premise may feel slightly contrived to readers preferring deep realism.
The lighter tone lacks the emotional gravity of Wharton's more famous tragedies.
✍️ About the Author
Edith Wharton (1862-1937) was an American author and the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, known for novels of Gilded Age society including 'The Age of Innocence'.
View all books →❓ FAQ
What is the main plot of The Glimpses of the Moon? +
Nick Lansing and Susy Branch, two broke socialites in the 1920s, marry with the agreement to live off wealthy friends until a better social prospect comes along.
Who is the author of the book? +
The novel was written by the acclaimed American author Edith Wharton.
When was the book published? +
The Glimpses of the Moon was published in 2021 as a notable edition of Wharton's classic work.
What genre does this book belong to? +
The novel falls primarily under the genre of humor and romantic comedy within classic literature.
How long is the book? +
This particular edition of the book spans 235 pages.
