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New Novel Reimagines Edith Wharton Classic
5 Nov
Summary
- A new novel offers a modern take on Wharton's classic.
- The story is set in 1960s New York City.
- The author shares a personal connection to Edith Wharton.

Laura Spence-Ashe is set to release her new novel, "The Thing You Most Wanted," on June 1, 2027. This literary work offers a contemporary reimagining of Edith Wharton's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, "The Age of Innocence." The narrative follows Virginia Bowman, a woman whose life unravels when her daughter's engagement forces her to confront a deeply held secret from her past.
Virginia's story unfolds in the vibrant setting of 1960s New York City. She was once a burgeoning media personality engaged to Don, heir to a prominent family. However, a fateful encounter with Don's cousin, Leonard, a painter, ignites a passionate affair that becomes the hidden core of her existence.
Spence-Ashe's connection to the source material is deeply personal; Edith Wharton was her great-grandfather's cousin. "The Thing You Most Wanted" promises to explore a familiar love triangle through a new lens, bringing the Gilded Age classic to a mid-20th century context. The author previously published "Beyond That, The Sea" in 2023.