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gwalt118's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a while to get into this book, but once I got there, I was hooked. Personally, I love reading about authors' lives, and I couldn't pass up the chance to read about Edith Wharton. Jennie Fields immediately captivated me with the layered stories of Edith Wharton and Anna Bahlman, her governess turned lifelong friend. The characters really came alive for me in this novel. There were times I was nodding along in agreement, gaping in astonishment, and fuming with anger at each character. It you are the least bit interested in literary history, I highly suggest you pick up this book. It's definitely a winner.
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
I have never heard of author, Edith Wharton until now. I can not rightfully say what drew me to this book to want to check it out but glad I did. While, I didn't really fall in love with this book or Edith, I did think that Mrs. Fields did a wonderful job of telling Edith's story. I could tell that Mrs. Fields had a respect for Edith and Paris. She told Edith's story as honestly and truthfully as she could by incorporating letters and diary entries from Edith. I liked the world that Mrs. Fields and Edith both painted of Paris. It seems like a nice place to visit and not as just a touristy area. It was not wonder that Edith could not stay away from there for long. However, I found that in ways, Edith was childish and mean. Childish in the way that Edith wanted everything her way and if things did not go to her expectations then she threw a fit. Also, childish in her love affair with Morton. She baited him. Although not to say that he was not innocent as he did know what he was getting into with Edith. I think at first Morton was memorized by Edith and who she was. Although for me I could not see why Edith fell in love with Morton other than maybe because he was American and two because Edith wanted to feel loved again.
I felt sorry for Edith's husband. He was trying to be a good husband but Edith was turned off by him and in turn she rallied aganist him. She was mean to him to the point that when he was sick with gout that he hoped he died. One from the pain and two because he knew Edith did not care for him.
Anna was kind and had the patience of a saint. It was amazing how she dealt with Edith for as long she she did until her death. I think that part of the reason that Anna and Edith did get along so well was because of Anna's quiet demeanor. She did not react to Edith and then in turn Edith was kind to Anna and loved her as her dear friend. Overall, I was more fascinated by Paris and Mrs. Fields story telling then I was by Edith's story. This does say a lot about Mrs. Field and the talent she has.
I felt sorry for Edith's husband. He was trying to be a good husband but Edith was turned off by him and in turn she rallied aganist him. She was mean to him to the point that when he was sick with gout that he hoped he died. One from the pain and two because he knew Edith did not care for him.
Anna was kind and had the patience of a saint. It was amazing how she dealt with Edith for as long she she did until her death. I think that part of the reason that Anna and Edith did get along so well was because of Anna's quiet demeanor. She did not react to Edith and then in turn Edith was kind to Anna and loved her as her dear friend. Overall, I was more fascinated by Paris and Mrs. Fields story telling then I was by Edith's story. This does say a lot about Mrs. Field and the talent she has.
jennthelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
A good book, but not overwhelmingly great, which I wanted it to be.
coco_o8's review against another edition
3.0
Through the beginning I liked this book, but sit had way through I became bored with the charters.
hippiechick56's review against another edition
2.0
It seems like this book was more about heartbreak and choosing the wrong person than a love affair that would set anyone ablaze with desire.
gilmoreguide's review against another edition
4.0
There are two stories of love in Age of Desire. One is Edith Wharton’s affair with a young journalist and the other is the more enduring constant love between friends. In 1907, Wharton resides in Paris for the winter with her husband, Teddy, and assistant, Anna. Her marriage to Teddy is in name only: he is much older and they have nothing in common. As Edith describes herself she “was raised to be a lady, not a woman.” Into this passionless life comes a young journalist who sweeps her off her feet.
“…Edith finds it difficult to concentrate on his words—she is so distracted by the insistence of his presence. She feels dented by him.”
Edith’s awakening as a physical woman creates discord in her relationship with Anna, the woman who has been in her life since she was a girl of twelve, her closest companion and confidante.
In Age of Desire, Jennie Fields accomplishes the significant feat of writing in the corsets-and-kid-gloves restrained style of Wharton herself. The reader is immersed in the genteel society of Paris, London and New York, taking them back to a time when ship and train were the only modes of long distance travel and letters were the standard method of communication. Even the dialogue follows the Wharton motif of more being unsaid than said. It is marvelously well done and achieves the same feel as Wharton’s work—a frozen expanse of words not spoken. The only point of dissonance is the sex scenes between Edith and Morton Fullerton. It is not how they are written it is simply that they are. They feel forced.
To read more of this review go to The Gilmore Guide to Books: http://gilmoreguidetobooks.com/2012/07/age-of-desire/
“…Edith finds it difficult to concentrate on his words—she is so distracted by the insistence of his presence. She feels dented by him.”
Edith’s awakening as a physical woman creates discord in her relationship with Anna, the woman who has been in her life since she was a girl of twelve, her closest companion and confidante.
In Age of Desire, Jennie Fields accomplishes the significant feat of writing in the corsets-and-kid-gloves restrained style of Wharton herself. The reader is immersed in the genteel society of Paris, London and New York, taking them back to a time when ship and train were the only modes of long distance travel and letters were the standard method of communication. Even the dialogue follows the Wharton motif of more being unsaid than said. It is marvelously well done and achieves the same feel as Wharton’s work—a frozen expanse of words not spoken. The only point of dissonance is the sex scenes between Edith and Morton Fullerton. It is not how they are written it is simply that they are. They feel forced.
To read more of this review go to The Gilmore Guide to Books: http://gilmoreguidetobooks.com/2012/07/age-of-desire/
booksamellyon's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I have always struggled to read the classics, and I think this background (albeit fictional) into Wharton's life made me want to read her work even more. Well done Jennie Fields!
(I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads)
(I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads)
margjar's review against another edition
4.0
It was a well developed story with historical references in it. I'm not sure I liked any of the characters in the story.
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoy this type of novel but Wharton, as a character, was getting on my last nerve. If I were Morton, I would have seen her as way more trouble than she was worth, which is so uncharitable and unfeminist of me, but there it is. The romantic in me was more affected by Anna's storyline. Intend to read Wharton and Anna's published letters to see if I get the same feel for their relationship as this book gave me. If you like historical fiction that deals with real life literary figures, you will not be disappointed in this book.
librarygirlreads's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25