It is interesting to me that this title is one of Wharton's obscure titles. I found it to be another small masterpiece in the list of masterpieces by this great writer. Set in Paris at the beginning of WWI - the story involves the all-encompassing love that a divorced couple have for their only son, George. But for an accident of birth, George was born in France - thus requiring him to serve. George's mother has since married a wealthy banker with every connection one could imagine to .. perhaps find a way for the son to avoid service. The boy's father has somewhat recently found fame and success as a portrait painter but certainly does not have the means to pull any strings on his son's behalf. The story explores all the modern day heartache that comes with divorce and sharing children. The father is at times overcome with jealousy that his wife's husband can do anything necessary for his step son - whom he also loves. The father suffers terrible anguish over the possible death of his son and fantasizes about them traveling together in some idyllic place. This story is thoroughly modern and tells us that not too much has changed in the last 100 years (+/-). Descriptions of the war itself, while limited, are poignant and horrifying. The wait for the US to get involved reminds us of our nation's perceived power at the time. For anyone who likes Wharton, and for anyone interested in an unusual perspective on WWI, I highly recommend this book. It is an interesting exploration of the human psyche.

Overall not bad. I'm not a fan of historical fiction but the exploration of the importance in a time of war was interesting.

Very powerful book..

My initial interest was that this was a contemporaneous novel about World War 1, which is an era that is of particular interest to me.

It was a significant effort for me to finish. I recognize that some of this is based on the difference in literary conventions between when this was written and today (the novel is mostly 'tell' and not 'show'). However, I've read other books from this period and had a much easier time. I realized toward the end that the problem was that I didn't care about any of the characters. They came across as one-dimensional and self-absorbed. Even the main character spends the book bemoaning his relationship with his son while recognizing that he values being an artist in France more than being involved in his son's life.

Very dry read, but overall an okay read.

This did not quite have the punch that I was hoping for. Fully cognizant that almost every man in France between the ages of 18 and 40 died in World War I, I was prepared for a sad outcome. While well written, it seemed like the characters were kept at a distance. You never really get to know them or care about them. It did not even provoke a tear at the end, a requisite for me to give four or five stars.

It was good in certain parts, but I thought it was, on the whole, repetitive.

DNF near the end, which is unusual for me - usually if I've struggled that far I'll go the whole hog, but I just couldn't this time. I was dreading picking it up again every time. I was procrastinating by doing my least favourite jobs rather than getting back to this book.
There is absolutely nothing good about this. I don't know if I should even bother trying her other books if this is the calibre of Edith's work.

I often state that I prefer nonfiction to fiction but A Son at the Front brought me to a new realization: the fiction that captures my deepest affection is almost always written by someone living during the historical period in which the story takes place. This is a work of fiction, but Wharton includes so many subtle details about how upper-class people living in Paris spent their days during World War I that it also carries the authentic account of a keen eyewitness. You'll find my deeper analysis along with excerpts at:

https://casdinteret.com/2023/10/a-son...

"The whole thing is so far beyond human measure that one's individual rage and revolt seem of no more use than a woman's scream at an accident she isn't in."

This quote pertains specifically to WWI, but I think it applies to all the human suffering we see in historical moments. Especially the pandemic we've just lived through.

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(Courtesy: Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library)

Way back in forgotten times, when the world was still all black and white, Edith Wharton lived in Paris. She was in Paris during World War I and through some connections was actually one of the few foreigners to be able to be on the front lines for her work as a war correspondent for Scribner's Magazine. In addition to her correspondent work she also did oodles for refugees of the war, founding hostels and hospitals for the infirm. She was a regular do-gooder and received the Legion of Honor for her efforts. ♥

A Son at the Front is one of the rare books by Wharton that deals specifically with the war. (The other being its precursor, The Marne, 1918, which I have not read or, honestly, even seen.) It's not that much of a removal from her other books, however. Readers aren't taken to the front line for this book, we don't get to see the action. We do get to see the experience through the eyes of George Campton's father, John, who is forced to give up the idea of traveling with George due to the outbreak of the war. Though American, George was born in France while his parents were visiting, and therefore became the property of the French army.

Considered an anti-war novel, A Son at the Front is the story told from a parent's perspective on war and covers the pride, the fear, the horror, and the guilt that comes with it. In classic Wharton fashion there are different layers of wonderfulness here. George's parents are divorced, so not only do we share John's feelings and emotions, but also those of his ex-wife, Julia, and her current husband. The complexities between those relationships set this book apart from other war novels of the same period.

Review to follow