The Old Maid

As I mentioned recently somewhere, the more I read Edith Wharton the more I love her, which is saying a lot since I was instantly smitten when I started reading my first book by her, The House of Mirth. I’ve read a couple of her novels and some of her shorter works since, but this is the first short story I've read of hers so far, and I can see why she was considered a master of the form. This story is included in the Old New York collection and I'm counting it as an individual work since I got it as an audiobook and am shamelessly making up the numbers to reach 150 books this year. Set in the 1850s, and I should specify in Edith Wharton's 50s, that is to say, the Old New York of the top of the upper crust of distinguished family show more names, splendour, old money and stifling social conventions, it tells the story of two cousins, one pretty and married, the other unwed and mother to an illegitimate little girl. Charlotte, who is about to be married into the same respectable family as her cousin Mrs. Delia Ralston, confides to her cousin and begs for her help, as she fears that her marriage will separate her from her secret love child Tina forever. Delia, whose first loyalty goes to her family by marriage, ensures that the wedding plans are cancelled to prevent the scandal from attaching itself to the too respectable Ralstons, though she promises to take care of Tina herself. Years go by, Delia is widowed, the cousins live together, and Tina is now a very attractive girl of marriageable age. Charlotte is known to the girl as 'Aunt Charlotte the old maid', and she affectionately considers Deliah to be her mother, and of course the secret of her real origins are unknown to her. The two older women have found this to be the best compromise, but there are unexpressed jealousies and resentments seething under the surface, which suddenly erupt when a young man starts making too frequent visits to the house. When Wharton wrote this story, it was already relegated to historical fiction, describing mores that had been long out of fashion, but the core of the tale is timeless, telling of love and passion and the mysteries of motherly love and the bonds that unify women. I couldn't help but shed a sentimental tear or two at the end, and perhaps it is a sentimental story, but they should all be so well told. show less

As her wedding day approaches, Charlotte Lowell reveals a long-hidden secret to her cousin, Delia Ralston: the foundling that she has been visiting as a charity project is actually her own daughter, born as the result of a brief affair with one of Delia's former beaux. (Don't worry--no spoilers; this is something you learn in the first few chapters, and I promise to give nothing else away.) The reactions, decisions, and solutions that follow will deeply affect the lives of the two women, as well as that of the little girl, Tina.

As so often, Wharton sets her story in upper crust New York society at the end of the nineteenth century, a world propelled by money, property, lineage, and rigid rules of etiquette. But the most interesting show more aspect of The Old Maid is the shifting relationship between the cousins, Delia and "Chatty" (Charlotte). Wharton delves deep into their psychology, exploring their fears, resentments, and motivations over the course of twenty years, all of them revolving around the often conflicting values of maternal love and family loyalties. This is, as another reviewer noted, a sentimental story--but not in a maudlin, melodramatic way. I consider it a fine addition to my Wharton shelf. show less

This novella studies two women, Delia Ralston and her cousin Charlotte Lovell, in the 19th century. Delia is content in her marriage, if not wildly in love, despite lingering regrets about a young man who did not have the money to marry her or the desire for a staid profession in New York City. Charlotte is about to be married, after an illness that took her away for awhile and left her somewhat changed. Then Charlotte comes to Delia and confesses that one of the poor children to whom she has been providing assistance is in fact her own daughter; she is doubting her ability to marry because her fiance wants her to give up the children. Delia's handling of the situation then and twenty years later reveals her character and the nature of show more her society, with some pointed commentary on how women enforced the double standard.

While it's not as good as Ethan Frome, The Old Maid is of a similar length, probably even shorter, and really EF is a hard act to follow. Edith Wharton tells the simple story beautifully. I didn't feel like the story was predictable, and I'm looking forward to reading more of Wharton's tetralogy. show less

It was grueling to read this novella. Set in the upper crust of society in New York in the late 1800s, two cousins end up in a convoluted relationship. Secrets and sacrifices emotional suffering which is described exquisitely by the author. Once again Wharton's wonderful writing illuminates the status of women socially and psychologically. Poignant and moving, this is now a favorite of mine.

A rather daring subject for the time but it became a more predictable story than I expected. It seemed a contest of wills between two women I didn't much care about. Along with some very intricate descriptions of furniture and clothing that made me think that was important but I don't really know.

Beautifully written. Another age.

beautiful writing, sad story