Bunner Sisters is a novella written by Edith Wharton, a prominent American novelist and short story writer of the early 20th century. The book was first published in 1916 and has since become a classic of American literature.
The story revolves around two sisters, Ann Eliza and Evelina Bunner, who live together in a small apartment in New York City in the late 19th century. The sisters are unmarried and live a quiet, uneventful life, running a small sewing business to make ends meet. However, their lives are disrupted when a handsome young man, named Ramy, enters their shop one day and begins to court Evelina.
As the sisters become more involved with Ramy, they are forced to confront the harsh realities of their constrained lives and limited opportunities. Wharton's nuanced portrayal of the sisters' relationship, their day-to-day struggles, and the constraints of their social and economic circumstances, captures the subtle tensions and complexities of life in turn-of-the-century New York.
Bunner Sisters is a poignant and insightful work that delves deeply into themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human desire for love and companionship. Wharton's elegant prose and sharp eye for detail create a vivid and atmospheric portrait of a bygone era and a society in transition. This novella is a must-read for fans of American literature and anyone interested in exploring the complexities of human relationships and the social and cultural norms that shape them.