The Choice

While ‘The Choice’ might be one of Wharton’s shorter stories, it nonetheless showcases her talents as a master storyteller. ‘The Choice’ focuses on the dilemma faced by Cobham Stilling, who is quickly burning the family fortune, much to the horror of his wife and lawyer. Packed with social detail and keen psychological insights, Wharton creates well-rounded characters and presents the reader with a choice that many of us would not like to have to make.



Edith Wharton (1862 – 1937) was an American designer and novelist. Born in an era when the highest ambition a woman could aspire to was a good marriage, Wharton went on to become one of America’s most celebrated authors. During her career, she wrote over 40 books, using her wealthy upbringing to bring authenticity and detail to stories about the upper classes. She moved to France in 1923, where she continued to write until her death.