Autres Temps...: 1916

"Autres Temps..." by Edith Wharton is a poignant novel written in the early 20th century. The book explores themes of memory, societal change, and personal identity through the character of Mrs. Lidcote, who is returning to New York after years of living abroad. As she navigates a society that has transformed in her absence, the story delves into her reflections on the past and her complex relationship with her daughter, Leila, who mirrors her own troubled romantic history. The narrative follows Mrs. Lidcote on her emotional journey as she confronts the consequences of her past choices, which now seem to resurface in her daughter's life. As she arrives in New York, Mrs. Lidcote grapples with feelings of isolation and anxiety, especially in the face of her daughter's recent divorce and remarriage. Through quiet introspection and conversations with old friends, she begins to realize the depth of her own loneliness and the changing social dynamics that influence her standing in this new era. Ultimately, the novel captures the struggle of reconciling personal history with the present, and the quest for a renewed sense of belonging in a world that has moved on.