The Reef

Originally published in 1912, The Reef presents a simple enough plot on the surface – essentially a love triangle informed by past events – but complicated and made ambiguous by being told from four different points of view. The triangle is composed of Anna Leath, who's betrothed to George Darrow and who in turn is confused by a past relationship with Sophie Viner who is also the governess of Anna's daughter.

This isn't a plot that might be termed unconventional, but Wharton's way of dealing with it is. By using four different points of view, thankfully well segmented, she is able to reveal or not reveal information to the reader which creates the intended ambiguity. The sense of having multiple third person narrators, applied with a broadly omnipotent brush, means that the plot can never be wholly resolved and this is continued right to the final sentence.