Edith Wharton estate debuts Berkshire Wordfest

Edith Wharton's historic estate in Lenox, The Mount, will host what they're calling the first annual Berkshire WordFest literary festival on July 23-25. Susan Orlean, Roy Blount Jr., Tad Friend, Ruth Reichl, Martha McPhee and many more will participate in three days of talk based around the theme "Channeling Edith Wharton." It takes shape in three discussions that use ideas from Wharton's life and work as touchstones: "Old Money, New Money," a look at class dynamics in literature and life; "Writers in Wartime," an exploration of the challenges of "writing war"; and "Well-Behaved Women," an ironic take on women and the literary establishment. The Friday night kick-off party features a talk by Francine Prose, winner of the 2010 Edith Wharton Achievement Award. More participants, including a lineup of Berkshire poets who'll read on the terrace, will be announced in coming weeks. Tix to each event range from $50 for the kick-off to free for some others, but most are in the $25-$40 range. Buy them at (413) 551-5113 or check out the WordFest website.