Madame De Treymes

This novel by Edith Wharton tells the story of Fanny de Malrive, a Frenchwoman who marries a wealthy American but finds herself torn between loyalty to her family and the demands of her new life. When her brother returns to Paris to ask for her help, Fanny must navigate a web of political intrigue, familial obligation, and personal desire, all while maintaining the veneer of a dutiful wife. With its elegant prose and finely etched characters, the book is a masterful exploration of the subtleties of love and loyalty in a world divided by class, nationality, and ambition.