Edith Wharton: The Age of Innocence (2004, Barnes & Noble)
Paperback, 336 pages
English language
Published Aug. 26, 2004 by Barnes & Noble.
Edith Wharton's most famous novel, written immediately after the end of the First World War, is a brilliantly realized anatomy of New York society in the 1870s, the world in which she grew up, and from which she spent her life escaping. Newland Archer, Wharton's protagonist, charming, tactful, enlightened, is a thorough product of this society; he accepts its standards and abides by its rules but he also recognizes its limitations. His engagement to the impeccable May Welland assures him of a safe and conventional future, until the arrival of May's cousin Ellen Olenska puts all his plans in jeopardy. Independent, free-thinking, scandalously separated from her husband, Ellen forces Archer to question the values and assumptions of his narrow world. As their love for each other grows, Archer has to decide where his ultimate loyalty lies. - Back cover.
In a world of stuffy convention, privilege and ennui, Wharton traces a life that repeatedly declines to take the 'road not travelled'.
Anyone who's made a compromise with life (and who hasn't) will find some resonance here. And while the oppulent and convention-bound world can be a stifling read, that's part of the point, and Wharton's sharp irony carries you through
One of the best books I’ve ever read.
There is more blushing in this novel than I have encountered elsewhere. The blush seems to be the main mode of expression, since the characters cannot say anything clearly to each other. Newland Archer often "starts" and then says 1/3 to 1/2 of a sentence in anger that quickly evaporates. I'll have to see the movie now to see if Daniel Day Lewis says anything. I also found Newland's attraction to the Countess to be quite mysterious. It is the central undiscussed mystery of the story. I know that life often works that way, but if you are writing a novel you could say something about the crush besides that she doesn't mind living in the same city block as artists do, and that she can decorate a room with only a single feather and blown flowers.
Here is my favorite quote, a description of Boston:
"The streets near the …
There is more blushing in this novel than I have encountered elsewhere. The blush seems to be the main mode of expression, since the characters cannot say anything clearly to each other. Newland Archer often "starts" and then says 1/3 to 1/2 of a sentence in anger that quickly evaporates. I'll have to see the movie now to see if Daniel Day Lewis says anything. I also found Newland's attraction to the Countess to be quite mysterious. It is the central undiscussed mystery of the story. I know that life often works that way, but if you are writing a novel you could say something about the crush besides that she doesn't mind living in the same city block as artists do, and that she can decorate a room with only a single feather and blown flowers.
Here is my favorite quote, a description of Boston:
"The streets near the station were full of the smell of beer and coffee and decaying fruit and a shirt-sleeved populace moved through them with the intimate abandon of boarders going down the passage to the bathroom."
I didn't realize it until a little way into it, but I must have read this book some time back already. Still good! But very similar in the arc and characters to House of Mirth, though I felt that was the stronger book.
The closing of this novel, however, is perfect. Wharton is a master.
The story takes place in 19th century New York. We follow Newland Archer, recently engaged to May Welland (who has everything to make a socially acceptable wedding) but who meets Ellen Olenska, cousin of May, much less socially acceptable but much more interesting. A quite pleasant and relaxing read - I took my time, needed 10 days or so to finish the 300 pages - the necessary reading level is definitely higher than my usual reads :) Not much happens in the book, but the society depiction is interesting and quite funny. Wharton also became, with this book, the first woman to get a Pulitzer...
3 1/2 stars. The age old story of wanting what we cannot have and not appreciating what we already do. I have to say this novel moved so slowly going almost nowhere, It got boring in parts.
Kind of like the complete opposite of Anna Karenina in all ways except the tedium.
I was occasionally wrecked by this.
Here is what I wrote in my journal at the time I read it:
>>Once I started it, I plodded through it to the end. I had to read it in graduate school. I must say that I found the ending to be a poignant one. I initially resisted the novel because it appeared to be a "teacup tragedy." And the image of the tea cups along with the formal dinners and the social gatherings seem to confirm this. Yet I found Edith Wharton to be more readable than Henry James [I had to read James as well for that class]. One thing I found interesting about the novel was the depiction of social codes and language. Characters would converse but often what was left unsaid was more significant.<<
I only gave it two stars not because it is bad, but because, it was, well "ok," which is what two …
Here is what I wrote in my journal at the time I read it:
>>Once I started it, I plodded through it to the end. I had to read it in graduate school. I must say that I found the ending to be a poignant one. I initially resisted the novel because it appeared to be a "teacup tragedy." And the image of the tea cups along with the formal dinners and the social gatherings seem to confirm this. Yet I found Edith Wharton to be more readable than Henry James [I had to read James as well for that class]. One thing I found interesting about the novel was the depiction of social codes and language. Characters would converse but often what was left unsaid was more significant.<<
I only gave it two stars not because it is bad, but because, it was, well "ok," which is what two stars is. I can say I read it, but I am not likely to revisit it anytime soon.
