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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've never really understood or appreciate much about NYC so it was with some reluctance that I started Edith Wharton’s classic short novel on high society life in New York city at the close of 19th century (1870s). Wharton’s Pulitzer-prize winning “Age of Innocence” depicts all the hypocrisy and convention, duty and criticism, propriety and snobbery of the New York elite as it tells the story of protagonist Newland Archer who is the product of this very society and his agonies over the boundaries of its imposed limits.
The story is really just about Newland Archer and the two women in his life, one who is the safe predictable and decent choice by all society’s then standards, and one who is not. Indeed, you would not be mistaken to think this a dull plot, told in no less than a million other works of fiction or real life. But alas, few others are written in the prose and authenticity of Edith Wharton’s writing style, reason enough to read “Age of Innocence”.
I liked Wharton less than Henry James, far less than Jane Austen, and on no visible scale with Emily Brontë’, but I still consider her mastery and command of the rich English language a talent bestowed on few. Her plot of characters was more complex than what I would have liked in such a short novel, and the intricacies of the detailed interactions among the distant characters interested me minimally in the context of the plot, but tremendously in the context of New York elite mindset and ways. Was New York ever so confined to such rigid way of thinking and existing, and European way of life considered so disgraceful and degrading in comparison?
It is difficult to understand Newland Archer. He seems more of an observer of his own life than one in control of it. He seems to be deeply meditating on his choices and hardly acting on them. He studies May Welland, his wife, as though studying a dull piece of art, in great lengths, and expresses surprise at every new discovery. He then compares her to Ellen and finds everything that is not May attractive and desirable. His rush into an engagement and subsequent marriage to May seem at odds with his intense desire to pursue this unrequited love for her cousin, Ellen.
Wharton leaves a lot to the imagination. I still do not understand why Newland does not seriously pursue Ellen Olenska. Is it society’s disapproval? Not a strong enough reason for a man like Newland Archer for which to give up his heartthrob. Maybe the answer is in the poetic title: Age of Innocence. Is the Innocence then a reference to the youth that knows no better, and wants that which it cannot have? Is it the Innocence of deeds and duties that is unquestionably carried out under society’s pressures and expectations? Or is it really an element in Newland’s own personality, whence all his actions are born?
Newland Archer is an indecisive man, whom society manages to bend and mold into the “perfect” husband and father. Society, elite or otherwise, does not care that his heart is filled with regrets 30 years into the future, and his own sense of purpose in life left unaccomplished. But I argue that Newland himself does not care either, for why else does he not pursue Ellen more obstinately? Why does he let the opportunities slip, and his youth and dreams slip even faster? Why would anyone allow that in the blatant presence of such possibility for true happiness?
It is the sign of an accomplished author that makes us think, question, wonder, and urges us to re-read some sections of the book in search of answers, understanding or just for the quiet joy of beautiful prose. A highly accomplished author who leaves me flipping through the pages for her eloquence of the inarticulate in the human emotion and circumstance and for that, I am grateful that I read Edith Wharton's classic.
The story is really just about Newland Archer and the two women in his life, one who is the safe predictable and decent choice by all society’s then standards, and one who is not. Indeed, you would not be mistaken to think this a dull plot, told in no less than a million other works of fiction or real life. But alas, few others are written in the prose and authenticity of Edith Wharton’s writing style, reason enough to read “Age of Innocence”.
I liked Wharton less than Henry James, far less than Jane Austen, and on no visible scale with Emily Brontë’, but I still consider her mastery and command of the rich English language a talent bestowed on few. Her plot of characters was more complex than what I would have liked in such a short novel, and the intricacies of the detailed interactions among the distant characters interested me minimally in the context of the plot, but tremendously in the context of New York elite mindset and ways. Was New York ever so confined to such rigid way of thinking and existing, and European way of life considered so disgraceful and degrading in comparison?
It is difficult to understand Newland Archer. He seems more of an observer of his own life than one in control of it. He seems to be deeply meditating on his choices and hardly acting on them. He studies May Welland, his wife, as though studying a dull piece of art, in great lengths, and expresses surprise at every new discovery. He then compares her to Ellen and finds everything that is not May attractive and desirable. His rush into an engagement and subsequent marriage to May seem at odds with his intense desire to pursue this unrequited love for her cousin, Ellen.
Wharton leaves a lot to the imagination. I still do not understand why Newland does not seriously pursue Ellen Olenska. Is it society’s disapproval? Not a strong enough reason for a man like Newland Archer for which to give up his heartthrob. Maybe the answer is in the poetic title: Age of Innocence. Is the Innocence then a reference to the youth that knows no better, and wants that which it cannot have? Is it the Innocence of deeds and duties that is unquestionably carried out under society’s pressures and expectations? Or is it really an element in Newland’s own personality, whence all his actions are born?
Newland Archer is an indecisive man, whom society manages to bend and mold into the “perfect” husband and father. Society, elite or otherwise, does not care that his heart is filled with regrets 30 years into the future, and his own sense of purpose in life left unaccomplished. But I argue that Newland himself does not care either, for why else does he not pursue Ellen more obstinately? Why does he let the opportunities slip, and his youth and dreams slip even faster? Why would anyone allow that in the blatant presence of such possibility for true happiness?
It is the sign of an accomplished author that makes us think, question, wonder, and urges us to re-read some sections of the book in search of answers, understanding or just for the quiet joy of beautiful prose. A highly accomplished author who leaves me flipping through the pages for her eloquence of the inarticulate in the human emotion and circumstance and for that, I am grateful that I read Edith Wharton's classic.
I was reminded of Wuthering Heights in the dilemma that the protagonist here faces -- follow your heart or your conscience? It is to Wharton's credit that this book had me guessing what would happen up to the end; as with real life, nothing is guaranteed, and no decisions are straightforward. In fact, they tend to be a mess of emotions, family obligations, social propriety, and predictions of the future, and all the more so if you're part of upper-class society in New York in the 1800s. Wharton's larger message here is the same one as Ethan Frome -- if you refuse to follow your heart the results may be tragic -- but her smaller messages about the ridiculousness of stringent social rules and the double standards placed on men and women also make this a worthwhile read.
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
No
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was good! Struggled to keep going with it because of the writing style, but it reminded me of a classic American rom com film! Did believe that Ellen and archer were going to end up together, even after may had died but was surprised they didn’t. Was also surprised that may knew the whole time about archer and Ellen! Enjoyed it but was challenging at certain parts to remember all the names and keep up with the will they won’t they plot
I loved this story because I felt like I was living in it. You know how sometimes in between ‘reads’ you’re going about your day and stop and wonder “How’s Ellen/Newland/May getting on?”
The portrayal of varied, interesting and complex characters immerse the reader to into a fascinating society with all it’s wonder and constraints. Some are born to it and wouldn’t be anywhere else others are prisoners of the duty that is expected of them and prevent them living the life they want. And some are so programmed into living by the rules they don’t even know their own hearts and minds.
With some echos of Anna Karenina and although not as brilliant a story, the writing is wonderfully contemporary with beautiful imagery.
The portrayal of varied, interesting and complex characters immerse the reader to into a fascinating society with all it’s wonder and constraints. Some are born to it and wouldn’t be anywhere else others are prisoners of the duty that is expected of them and prevent them living the life they want. And some are so programmed into living by the rules they don’t even know their own hearts and minds.
With some echos of Anna Karenina and although not as brilliant a story, the writing is wonderfully contemporary with beautiful imagery.
Edith Warton's New York society romance is an introspective personal look into the intensely mannered social circles of 19th century High Society. Newland Archer is enjoying his luxurious lifestyle frequent to fancy meals, opera, and rubbing elbows with some of New York's most connected members, he is engaged to another well-to-do debutant May Welland and expects to carry on with married life as he has his pampered charmed life. Until his fiancee's cousin, Countess Olenska, asks for help on a personal matter regarding separating from her Husband and Newland finds a level of attraction he has never experienced before with the free-minded Ellen. What follows is Archer's examination and re-evaluation of the formal and informal rules imposed on himself and Oleska by societal expectations. It's no wonder Martin Scorsese saw promise in adapting the story, as the eclectic filmmaker always has similar story themes. The wonderfully and thoroughly written book elaborates the contentious psychological battles going on with all the characters actions and inactions. A literary treasure encapsulating a time and place explored with conflicted characters to empathize with on their quests to find what they want out of life on their own terms.
Ma, in primo luogo, New York era una metropoli, e perfettamente consapevole che nelle metropoli "non sta bene" arrivare presto all'Opera; e ciò che stava o non stava "bene" giocava un ruolo nella New York di Newland Archer altrettanto importante di quello degli inscrutabili totemici terrori che avevano governato i destini dei suoi progenitori migliaia di anni fa.
reflective
sad
slow-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
«Las mujeres deben ser libres, tan libres como lo somos nosotros».
Calificación:
Escritura: 4.5⭐ | Trama: 3⭐ | Personajes: 3.5⭐ | Temáticas: 4⭐ | Originalidad: 3⭐ | Nivel de adicción: 1⭐ | Impacto emocional: 1.5⭐
Calificación final: 3⭐
¿Lo recomendaría?: depende.
Tengo sentimientos encontrados con esta historia.
No creo que sea un libro de tres estrellas, pero lo empecé a leer y me causó un bloqueo lector de la leche. Tanto es así que he tardado poco más de cinco meses en acabarlo porque no tenía ganas de cogerlo. Me obligaba a terminarlo llevándomelo a cafeterías y leyéndolo acompañada de una taza de matcha latte.
Sinceramente, siento que me pilló en un momento vital en el que no era para mí. Y es una pena, porque la historia está deliciosamente narrada —aunque la edición que tengo he de decir que tiene bastantes erratas, lo que ha hecho que le baje la puntuación—. Además, la construcción de personajes es buena, si bien me han dado ganas de tirarme de los pelos varias veces con su toma de decisiones. Pero el desarrollo de la historia se me ha hecho un suplicio. Era la pescadilla que se muerde la cola. Repetitiva. El ciclo de nunca acabar.
No me frustra que el final sea trágico. Después de todo, la relación entre Archer y Olenska era tan compleja, con tantas idas y venidas —imposible dadas las circunstancias: el compromiso de Archer con su esposa, el hecho de que Olenska y May eran primas, y la época en la que vivían—, que no esperaba necesariamente un final feliz. Pero tras toda una historia marcada por el deseo vehemente de Archer por estar con Olenska —por ese constante «sí, no, sí, no» hasta que finalmente es honesto consigo mismo—, su decisión final me parece un despropósito.
Entonces, si por cosas como esta me cuesta empatizar a veces con el protagonista. ¿Cómo la voy a poder disfrutar? ¿Es realista que ni él mismo se entienda? Sí. Pero a mí me ha resultado cansino. Y lo mismo me ha ocurrido con la mayoría de los personajes, lo cual, considero que es intencional y está muy bien logrado.
Aun así, hubo partes que me mantuvieron intrigada. Capítulos, más bien. Momentos de intimidad entre Archer y Olenska, sobre todo. La complejidad de los sentimientos que tenían el uno por el otro. La lucha entre seguir sus corazones o ceder a la presión social. Lo que se esperaba de ellos en una época como aquella.
Supongo que me hubiera gustado ver a un Archer que tomara las riendas de su vida y rompiera con todo lo establecido. A una Olenska preparada para agarrarlo de la mano. A dos jóvenes valientes, viviendo de forma honesta, pese a las circunstancias.
The opposite of a manic pixie dream girl. A man so square that he makes her sad and unfulfilled too.
Ms. Wharton is such a good writer and the feeling of what-could’ve-been aches, but ultimately I don’t ~care~ for the characters or their circumstances.
Needlessly long, detailed, and hateful descriptions of Ms. Manson Mingott’s fatness.
Ms. Wharton is such a good writer and the feeling of what-could’ve-been aches, but ultimately I don’t ~care~ for the characters or their circumstances.
Needlessly long, detailed, and hateful descriptions of Ms. Manson Mingott’s fatness.