The Fruit of the Tree
Edith Wharton
Read by Margaret Espaillat





When published in 1907, this novel about the lives of a wealthy mill owner, her socially progressive husband and friends caused a stir due to its treatment of drug abuse, mercy killing, divorce and second marriages. (Summary by Margaret) (15 hr 35 min)
Chapters
Book 1, Chapter 1 | 6:42 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 1, Chapter 2 | 31:57 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 1, Chapter 3 | 25:48 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 1, Chapter 4 | 33:33 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 1, Chapter 5 | 31:02 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 1, Chapter 6 | 27:14 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 1, Chapter 7 | 29:00 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 1, Chapter 8 | 20:12 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 2, Chapter 9 | 20:31 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 2, Chapter 10 | 24:12 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 2, Chapter 11 | 23:25 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 2, Chapter 12 | 29:23 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 2, Chapter 13 | 17:31 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 2, Chapter 14 | 24:16 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 2, Chapter 15 | 18:04 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 2, Chapter 16 | 18:13 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 2, Chapter 17 | 30:46 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 2, Chapter 18 | 19:22 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 3, Chapter 19 | 20:08 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 3, Chapter 20 | 13:46 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 3, Chapter 21 | 23:05 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 3, Chapter 22 | 21:23 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 3, Chapter 23 | 15:07 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 3, Chapter 24 | 25:48 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 3, Chapter 25 | 21:55 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 3, Chapter 26 | 16:10 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 3, Chapter 27 | 17:41 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 3, Chapter 28 | 22:25 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 3, Chapter 29 | 17:59 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 4, Chapter 30 | 25:15 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 4, Chapter 31 | 18:13 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 4, Chapter 32 | 16:50 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 4, Chapter 33 | 16:35 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 4, Chapter 34 | 27:41 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 4, Chapter 35 | 11:19 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 4, Chapter 36 | 24:27 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 4, Chapter 37 | 16:41 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 4, Chapter 38 | 19:15 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 4, Chapter 39 | 30:32 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 4, Chapter 40 | 23:39 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 4, Chapter 41 | 20:15 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 4, Chapter 42 | 16:50 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Book 4, Chapter 43 | 21:17 | Read by Margaret Espaillat |
Reviews
brilliantly read by Margaret Espaillat





dahszil
Wharton is a great writer, but in this novel she over psychoanalyzes far too much, here in The Fruit of the Tree. Perhaps characters of the upper classes have complex and convoluted psychological make up, but I don't think the rest of us have the time to invent so many psychological weapons to exploit each other with. But it is a great book combining personal relations, romance, compartmentalizing and hence the string pulling and distance of powerful men and women from the harsh life their schemes create for common persons. Edith Wharton hated socialists and perhaps she was from the upper class, she was biased towards top down reform. i don't know. Most often in history, leaders and the powerful have to be pushed by the majority for social reform.
The Fruit of the Tree





Vereeniging
This book still has many issues we grapple with today. The one that has me thinking about most is euthanasia. I have always thought it just to put an end to endless suffering but this book has made me realize that there are consequences and that there can be two sides to the act. Margaret Espaillat has read the story with deep understanding and I thank her most sincerely for it.
The Fruit of the Tree





Terri Lynn
AN UNEXPECTED LOVE STORY. NARRATOR DOES AN AMAZING JOB WITH RANGE AND PITCH. ALL IN ALL A GOOD LISTENING EXPERIENCE





KAB
Loved this book! So satisfying. Reader was a bit rough at first, but quickly became excellent. Thank-you, Margaret, for your work.





Addressing today’s problems
Nicely read, and not just a boring love story. This story hits on at least 4 of today’s social issues.





Angela
a really good reader. the story seemed too long and was rather boring in the middle.
Very glad that I listened





jbrown
It’s one of the most memorable stories and very well narrated.
Just started it and like it





She writes so vividly.