A Son at the Front - Paperback

by Edith Wharton (Author)

Inspired by her volunteer work in France during World War I, Edith Wharton's remarkable war novel, A Son at the Front, was initially met with widespread indifference from a war-weary public. The profoundly moving story follows expatriate American painter John Campton as he battles to keep his only son, George, away from the front while considering the moral ramifications of his actions. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author delivers a deeply emotional and intimate look at the shattered lives of the distraught parents left behind. Wharton constructs a stunning, poignant tale that skillfully explores the psychological and cultural influences on human behavior during the early years of World War I.

Back Jacket

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edith Wharton delivers a stunning, poignant tale that skillfully explores the psychological and cultural influences on human behavior during the early years of World War I. The profoundly moving story follows the shattered lives of distraught parents left behind as their son enlists to fulfill his military duty. Expatriate American painter John Campton battles to keep his only son, George, away from the front while considering the moral implications of his actions. Inspired by her volunteer work in France during World War I, Edith Wharton's remarkable war novel, originally published in 1922, presents an evocative portrait of sorrow and grief and remains a powerful exploration of parental and filial love and tragedy.

Author Biography

Edith Wharton

Julie Olin-Ammentorp is Professor of English at Le Moyne College (Syracuse, NY). She is the author of Edith Wharton, Willa Cather, and the Place of Culture (2019) and Edith Wharton's Writings from the Great War (2004), as well as of many articles and book chapters, including essays in The Bloomsbury Handbook to Edith Wharton (ed. Emily Orlando, 2022) and The New Edith Wharton Studies (ed. Jennifer Haytock and Laura Rattray, 2020). She is a past president of the Edith Wharton Society and serves on the editorial board of The Edith Wharton Review.