False Dawn (The 'Forties)

Edith Wharton, an influential American writer, expertly captured the intricacies of upper-class life during the Gilded Age, drawing from her own experiences. She made history by becoming the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 1921 with The Age of Innocence. Wharton's extensive oeuvre includes notable works like The House of Mirth and Ethan Frome, showcasing her versatility as she ventured into various genres, including poetry and cultural criticism, despite starting her publishing career later in life.