The Reef

Set against the backdrop of Paris and rural France, this novel explores the rekindled romance between a widow and her former lover, highlighting the intricacies of love and longing. Featuring American characters, it reflects Wharton's experiences during her travels in Europe. Despite its rich setting, the author herself expressed dissatisfaction with the work, referring to it as a "poor miserable lifeless lump" in a letter, indicating her desire to create something more meaningful in the future.