At Fault

By Kate Chopin

Book Overview

Set against the backdrop of the lush Cane River region of 19th-century Louisiana, Kate Chopin's "At Fault" explores themes of marriage, widowhood, and the complexities of romance. This compelling work of literary fiction delves into the lives of women navigating societal expectations and personal desires. Chopin masterfully captures the nuances of human relationships, particularly the challenges faced by women seeking love and independence.

Experience the timeless story of "At Fault," a poignant exploration of love and loss in a bygone era. This meticulously prepared edition brings Chopin's classic tale to life, offering readers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Louisiana society and the enduring power of the human heart. A captivating read for anyone interested in historical fiction and the timeless struggles of the human condition, and a crucial contribution to women's literature.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1023006324
• ISBN13: 9781023006323
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 152 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

At Fault by Kate Chopin

Because I loved The Awakening, I decided to read one of Chopin's lesser-known novels, At Fault, which is set in late nineteenth century Louisiana. This novel deals with many issues, such as religion, divorce, alcoholism, and violence, in a relatively short length of text. The main characters are Therese and David, who meet through business and fall in love. David is a divorced Unitarian, and Therese, a widowed Catholic. Because of David's religion and divorce, Therese declines his eventual marriage proposal, and instead convinces him to return to his estranged ex-wife, Fanny--which proves tragic and disastrous. There are also some tertiary, though equally important characters in the story--Melicent and Gregoir, for one. Like Therese and David, they have a relationship of sorts, but Melicent will not condescend to Gregoir's advances because they are of a different class. What this novel deals quite successfully with, if such can be done, is that in our society (and especially back during the late 19th century) we are often told that we should bridle our passions lest they get the best of us. However, there are just as many consequences, and perhaps many more, for NOT going with our passions and our feelings. In containing our love for others and attempting to conduct life as if such feelings do not exist, is like a form of death and destruction--akin to William Blake's sentiment that "he who desires and acts not breeds pestilence." Once Therese realizes that David's returning to his ex-wife has caused much untold suffering--she has sort of a "Dark Night of the Soul" moment where she asks herself, over and over again, "Was I right? Was I right?" This was indeed the turning point in the novel, where I believe that Therese began to question what she knows, and what she thought she believed about what is "right." I will leave the rest of the story as a mystery for those who wish to not have it spoiled. I highly recommend this short, yet exquisitely written book.