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...