Early Autumn
by Louis Bromfield is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about the moral decay and emotional repression within an old New England aristocratic family.
The story centers on Olivia Pentland, a sensitive and intelligent woman trapped in a loveless marriage to a cold, tradition-bound husband. As she navigates the rigid expectations of her elite social circle, Olivia begins to awaken to the emptiness of her life and yearns for personal freedom and genuine connection. The novel critiques outdated social values and explores themes of individuality, gender roles, and the decline of once-powerful families.