The Valley of Decision: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Valley of Decision: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Valley of Decision is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Wharton, Edith (1862–1937).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Valley of Decision" by Edith Wharton is a novel set during the late 19th century, which explores themes of social class, identity, and the struggles faced by those in lower social standings. The story revolves around Odo Valsecca, a young boy with noble ancestry but presently living in poverty. As he navigates the challenges of his upbringing, Odo grapples with his place in a world that often marginalizes him despite his noble lineage. At the start of the novel, the tranquil yet dilapidated chapel serves as a refuge for the sensitive and introspective Odo, who feels a profound kinship with both the suffering saint depicted in the chapel and the harsh circumstances of his life. The opening chapters introduce Odo's early life at the farm of Pontesordo, under the care of his foster mother Filomena, and outline the disdain he faces from the farm's more privileged inhabitants. The narrative follows Odo through a series of poignant experiences, including the sudden news of his father's death, which alters his world and sets him on a path toward his mother and the nobility he longs to reconnect with. As he adjusts to life in the Duke's palace, Odo's realizations about wealth, privilege, and his familial ties deepen, foreshadowing the internal and external conflicts that will shape his journey.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Valley of Decision
- Author credits: Wharton, Edith (1862–1937)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Italy -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Historical Novels
- Category: Novels
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Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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