Eden An Episode   By: Edgar Saltus (1855-1921)

Eden: An Episode by Edgar Saltus is an intriguing and thought-provoking novella that explores the themes of desire, power, and the consequences of pursuing one’s deepest desires.

Set in the late 19th century, the story follows the protagonist, Clara, a young woman trapped in a loveless and suffocating marriage. When she meets the charming and enigmatic Vere, her dormant desires awaken and she is drawn into a web of infatuation and longing. Saltus weaves a tale of forbidden love, as Clara finds herself torn between her duty as a wife and her yearning for a life filled with passion and individual freedom.

Saltus’s writing style is elegant and rich in detail, immersing the reader in the opulent settings of New York City and Europe. The author’s meticulous attention to detail serves to highlight the stark contrast between Clara’s mundane existence and the vibrant world of passion and self-discovery that Vere promises her. The vivid descriptions of art, culture, and society add depth and authenticity to the narrative, creating a captivating backdrop for Clara’s journey.

The characters in Eden: An Episode are complex and multidimensional, each grappling with their own desires and motivations. Clara’s struggle to assert her independence in a society that values conformity is both poignant and relatable. Through her internal turmoil, Saltus explores the eternal conflict between societal expectations and individual fulfillment, making the novella feel timeless and resonant.

What sets Eden: An Episode apart is Saltus’s exploration of the consequences that come with pursuing one’s deepest desires. As Clara delves deeper into her infatuation with Vere, the author masterfully creates an atmosphere of tension and impending doom. The narrative takes unexpected twists and turns, leading to a dramatic and tragic climax that leaves the reader both satisfied and contemplative.

However, the novella does have its shortcomings. At times, Saltus’s prose can be overly ornate and verbose, slowing down the pacing and detracting from the plot. Additionally, the secondary characters are not as fully developed as Clara and Vere, leaving certain relationships and motivations feeling underdeveloped and superficial.

Despite these minor flaws, Eden: An Episode remains a compelling and evocative read. Saltus’s exploration of desire, power, and the consequences of pursuing one’s deepest desires lingers in the reader’s mind long after finishing the book. For anyone seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally charged tale of passion and its consequences, Eden: An Episode is well worth the read.

First Page:

It was not until Miss Menemon's engagement to John Usselex was made public that the world in which that young lady moved manifested any interest in her future husband. Then, abruptly, a variety of rumors were circulated concerning him. It was said, for instance, that his real name was Tchurchenthaler and that his boyhood had been passed tending geese in a remote Bavarian dorf, from which, to avoid military service, he had subsequently fled. Again, it was affirmed that in Denmark he was known as Baron Varvedsen, and that he had come to this country not to avoid military service, but the death penalty, which whoso strikes a prince of the blood incurs. Others had heard that he was neither Bavarian nor Dane, but the outlawed nephew of a Flemish money lender whose case he had rifled and whose daughter he had debauched. And there were other people who held that he had found Vienna uninhabitable owing to the number of persistent creditors which that delightful city contained... Continue reading book >>