Rescued from a poverty-stricken mountain life, Charity Royall lives as ward to Lawyer Royall in the New England town of North Dormer. However, Charity is bored by her job at the local library–until a young man Lucius Harney plucks her from the drabness of North Dormer life. A young architect and sophisticated man about town, Herney's good looks and refinement awaken Charity's passionate nature. Meanwhile, Charity contends with unwanted matrimonial advances from Lawyer Royall.
Summer is a heart-wrenching coming-of-age story regarded by Wharton as one of her best works.