Customer Reviews

Roman Fever and Other Stories

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I had to read "Roman Fever" for an english class, and it was a very good story! The author describes the scenery & events around the characters, which makes it richer, but when you go back to analyze it, you realize that he setting & buildings & even other people in it are actually being used as foreshadowing symbolism. It's very well-written and multi-layered.

This tale was first published in "Liberty" in 1934 and was later included in Whaton's last collection of short stories, The world over.

This story is well worth searching out for, read on one level, it evokes a wonderful sense one of the greatest vistas in the world where many centuries of culture are on view. My wife and I have spent many hours on the Palantine Hill, observing and dreaming about the rich cultural history of Rome.

Wharton also brings to life the two main characters, their family relationships and lives in New York City, and especially the importance of their daughters in their own lives.

Finally, the great portion of the story dealing with the public and private histories described are merely prelude for a wonderfully satisfying series of unexpected plot twists.

The story has also been analyzed on a much deeper level by Dale M. Bauer in 1988 in "Edith Wharton, 'Roman Fever', Rune of History": one of many points includes:

""Since the entirety of the story plays itself out against the backdrop of `the great accumulated wreckage of passion and splendor' in Rome, I am suggesting that Wharton means to put into some relation of the fortunes of civilization and the fortunes of these two families, the Slades and the Ansleys. The story insists, first of all, that our own myth of origins -- from which we get all our founding or inaugurating force, our authority -- is inherently arbitrary ... Wharton's fiction, therefore participates in a kind of demystification (destructive) process; both women believe their own inaugural myths about their daughters.... Both are wrong about the order of things, and Wharton uncovers a profound emptiness at the heart of history since chance seems to rule."

Whether read as a well written tale of love and rage, or more deeply analyzed as a "Rune of History", there is much to reward any reader who loves great English literature.

Robert C. Ross 2010

Note: I read this story to my wife, and to do so most effectively, this is a story which the reader should skim through before declaiming. The listener's enjoyment will be greatly enhanced by delicate emphasis at various points in the discussion of family relationships, particularly the relationships of the two women with their daughters.

And, we were both struck with our memories of Henry James's Daisy Miller: "Well, I have seen the Colosseum by moonlight!" Wharton echoes James in a very effective way, and proves that life as well as death can follow a visit to the great monument. B.

There is nothing much you can say about a classic. A classic is a classic for a reason. Edith Wharton is undeniably one of the best American writers and this book of short stories is another proof of it. It is a mark of a true talent to be able in a matter of 20-25 pages to reveal both deep nature of characters and expose society follies. Each story is a masterpiece which leaves you with a deeper understanding of suffocating restrictions of 19th century America and complexities of human nature. This book is a must read for anyone who appreciates quality literature.

I was rather shocked and disappointed that what I thought was a collection of short stories turned out to be a single short piece. I was aware of the price differential, but assumed it was due to the fact that one can obtain full-length Wharton books right here on Amazon for $0.00. I had hoped for a version with a degree of attentiveness in Kindle formatting usually lacking in the free offerings.

I really feel cheated, as I expected to be purchasing "Roman Fever AND OTHER STORIES", a work of some 300-odd pages, not one of 10 if that. Unfortunately, Amazon apparently has no compunction--nor indeed financial incentive--to screen out such cuckoo's egg product imposters.

This is not the first time I have run into materially different works being marketed as Kindle equivalents.

This short story is wonderfully complex and intriguing. Although it uses the late nineteenth century language, it is easy to understand and hard to put down until the end. Wonderful read for women looking for a motivational power-strive.