The Touchstone sets up a moral dilemma for Stephen Glennard, whose career is floundering making it impossible to marry the woman he loves. He is resentful of his contemporaries who always find a place at someone’s dinner table or invitation to the opera, while he has to calculate cab fares, clothing and food to make ends meet sacrificing the important contacts that could improve his life.
But one evening when at his club his eyes light on a name in a headline. Someone is soliciting information on Margaret Aubyn, a woman he had a relationship with. It ended when she left for England, though she continued to write to him for many years. The article states specifically, “She had so few intimate friends…that letters will be of special value.” Glennard has hundreds.
A friend helps him find a publisher for the letters, he being the go-between that keeps Glennard’s name out of any correspondence or notoriety. Based on the projected windfall, he marries Alexa Trent. They move to suburban New York City and for a year all is calm. When the letters are published Glennard is shocked to learn of the sympathy most readers, and his social circle, feel toward Margaret Aubyn. Slowly his conscience begins a slow downward spiral of guilt and for a time is haunted by her presence. He fears exposure and the reaction of his wife, who seems to have taken on a kind of protective stance against the exploitation of this woman.
The story had me glued to the narrative until the very last sentence, because the outcome was never assured. Wharton does not give the reader a firm conclusion to either Glennard’s guilt or Alexa’s acceptance. This is not a spoiler, this is pure Wharton!
Relevant Obscurity 
I didn’t know Wharton wrote this, but will certainly add it to my wishlist! I’ve read her 3 major novel, and hooked by them all. Oh, and Ethan Frome too!
Speaking of inconclusive endings, I’m not fan of it. Either in Wharton’s or Maurier’s; I’d prefer to have closure to a story before moving on to the next.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a bit frustrating to go on a character’s journey only to be left hanging at the end. 😏
LikeLike
I’m going to have to read this one! I really enjoyed Ethan Frome. Wharton’s writing was really well done in that one so I imagine this one will be good as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ethan Frome was my first Wharton. And the gateway drug to the rest of her work!
You might also try Summer, a shorter novel, similar to Ethan Frome in that it centers on a character from a small town in the country. They are often cited together, although they are completely different stories. Summer is one of my favorites.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I will add Summer to my classics TBR!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: It’s Novellas in November time – add your links here! #NovNov22
I love Wharton’s work but haven’t read this one – sounds really good! One to line up for next year I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I found it compelling and a quick read.
This is such a great challenge in that it so helpful in discovering new titles. So thanks for organizing ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person