Bunner Sisters

Bunner Sisters is a novella written by Edith Wharton in 1892 and first published in 1916.

This fast-paced and entertaining read tells the story of sisters Ann Eliza and Evelina Bunner. They are two young single women who run a small haberdashery and decorating store in New York City. They barely make ends meet and their lack of resources is often mentioned.

The young women live a quiet but monotonous life with small moments of joy such as tea breaks or meeting new customers. Everything will change when the older sister decides to give a watch to her younger sister, a fact in principle inconsequential but that will turn her life upside down...

It masterfully depicts the humbler quarters of late 19th century New York, its markets, horses and buggies or period costumes.