The Custom of the Country

In Edith Wharton's acclaimed novel, The Custom of the Country, readers are introduced to Undine Spragg, a fiercely beautiful and ruthlessly ambitious heroine. As she navigates her way through a series of marriages and affairs to ascend the social ladder, Undine's selfishness highlights a sharp critique of materialism and the values of America's nouveau riche. The story serves as a poignant exploration of ambition and the often destructive pursuit of power within New York's elite society.