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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
I'm awarding this novel extra points because despite the fact it is a genre I have no affection for - emotionally-stunted upper-class twit romance - I quite loved it.
Wharton's writing is impeccable. I think what saves this novel - and in fact elevates it into great writing - is that she doesn't merely describe or mock New York's elite, but writes from a point of deep understanding, even empathy. While Newland Archer's arc is fairly predictable, as he smashes against the expectations of the society around him, May's arc represents something true - again, it would have been easy for Wharton to let May simply turn into another mechanistic, procedural Fifth Avenue housewife, but fires of her own passions never go out. May goes on being a compelling character, even as she fulfills exactly what is expected of her, even as she is faced with wretchedness.
Even as Wharton criticizes this society - and she is merciless in her critique - she clearly cares for at least some of the people suffering within its gilded cage. Archer, May, and Ellen all have deeply moving, deeply human moments without which the attack on shallowness itself would have been utterly shallow.
Wharton's writing is impeccable. I think what saves this novel - and in fact elevates it into great writing - is that she doesn't merely describe or mock New York's elite, but writes from a point of deep understanding, even empathy. While Newland Archer's arc is fairly predictable, as he smashes against the expectations of the society around him, May's arc represents something true - again, it would have been easy for Wharton to let May simply turn into another mechanistic, procedural Fifth Avenue housewife, but fires of her own passions never go out. May goes on being a compelling character, even as she fulfills exactly what is expected of her, even as she is faced with wretchedness.
Even as Wharton criticizes this society - and she is merciless in her critique - she clearly cares for at least some of the people suffering within its gilded cage. Archer, May, and Ellen all have deeply moving, deeply human moments without which the attack on shallowness itself would have been utterly shallow.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was telling my dad that at its basic premise (man and two women) nothing about this plot would be interesting to me but edith wharton is such a good writer that it's absolutely incredible
A great book about New York at the turn of the 19th century, when living "above the Forties" was considered pioneering. It's a novel of manners, as one might expect, but it's mostly about how constraining they can be and the tendency they have to make people hypocrites.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I was dreading this since I don't feel like this era (or victorian) is really my cup of tea, but i honestly enjoyed this. Part of it is reading about the culture of 1890s New York, part of it is the relatable feelings of being trapped. Wharton makes her characters all likeable to some degree, so that each moment you're rooting for one or the other, and there's a lot of real, true feelings described here. What is love and marriage? What is a life with either? Both?
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My first Wharton and I was not disappointed.
There is longing on every page. But there is also social commentary and male hypocrisy.
Archer Newland is an interesting romantic lead because he's not idealised. He's as pompous and patronising to women as you'd expect a privileged, rich white guy to be. But somehow I still empathised with him and willed him to break free of the societal constraints. He's too weak to do that though.
May and Ellen are the strong characters, even though they have more to lose societally and financially than Archer.
It's beautifully written and Scorcese's 90s adaptation has to be one of the best book adaptations ever. He captured all the internal moments of the characters. The visuals of the film were a great mental companion to this book.
I wanted a tragic romance and this more than delivered. I'll definitely read more Wharton.
There is longing on every page. But there is also social commentary and male hypocrisy.
Archer Newland is an interesting romantic lead because he's not idealised. He's as pompous and patronising to women as you'd expect a privileged, rich white guy to be. But somehow I still empathised with him and willed him to break free of the societal constraints. He's too weak to do that though.
May and Ellen are the strong characters, even though they have more to lose societally and financially than Archer.
It's beautifully written and Scorcese's 90s adaptation has to be one of the best book adaptations ever. He captured all the internal moments of the characters. The visuals of the film were a great mental companion to this book.
I wanted a tragic romance and this more than delivered. I'll definitely read more Wharton.
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes