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The Custom of the Country

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The Custom of the Country

By: Edith Wharton
Narrated by: Barbara Caruso
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About this listen

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 Classics

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All stars
Most relevant  
I enjoyed the book after a slowish start. Not my usual genre, I listened to it as on the literature syllabus for my degree. It was worth the time, and more enjoyable than I expected.

Insightful

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Gosh, Americans speak quickly! After I turned the speed down a little I could really enjoy the story.

Timeless American Classic about vacuous and destructive social climbing

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Couldn't fault the narrators performance, but I found the book a struggle to finish. Overall not bad.

Excellent performance by narrator

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Fantastic writing and superb narration. Loved every second. Would very highly recommend. Can’t wait to listen to more of Edith Wharton’s work.

Superb

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I was looking for another Edith Wharton and listened to all the 'samples' of 'The Custom of the Country' and thought that this one sounded like the best narration.

I often find the scruples of Wharton's characters rather difficult to sympathize with- so it was something of a relief to come across Undine Spragg- who has no scruples at all- she's just a naive, selfish monster battling (rather pathetically) towards a happiness that always lies just beyond her. Certainly she's repulsive but it makes for an interesting character. - and there is plenty of gorgeous period detail along the way.

Thick and absorbing

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Some odd pauses, but this is definitely the better narrator on here at the moment.

The easiest version to listen to

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