The Mother's Recompense

A novel by Edith Wharton following Kate Clephane, a once-social exile who returns from years in Europe to New York to live with her adult daughter, Anne. Set against the backdrop of expatriate life on the Riviera and the rigid social mores of early 20th-century American society, the narrative explores themes of motherhood, reconciliation, and personal identity. Wharton’s portrayal of Kate’s emotional journey reflects both societal expectations and inner introspection.