Edith Wharton 
Son at the Front 

Her beloved France was torn apart by the First World War and yet Edith Wharton still felt compelled to put pen to paper. Inspired by some of her own experiences, ‘A Son at the Front’ tells the story of George, who is enlisted into the French Army. However, the focus falls firmly on the family left behind: George’s divorced mother and father, and his stepfather. To make matters even more complicated, George’s parents are American, leaving them feeling like strangers in a strange land.’A Son at the Front’ explores themes of social expectations, unfulfilled dreams, pride, and broken marriages. While Wharton is better known for her searing satires on the American upper classes, ‘A Son at the Front’ is one of many books featuring France and the First World War. A gripping read from one of the most celebrated authors of the 20th Century.-