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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
reflective
tense
slow-paced
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
slow-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
for awhile, i was slightly dissatisfied with this book. i thought the writing to be wonderful, but the romance to be absolutely horrible, and both the main characters very unsympathetic. during this time, i viewed this as a romance. slowly, as i continued to read, i realized it was so much more. a commentary and satire of the social conventions and expectations of the time, it focuses a lens on a time so heavily romanticized and pokes fun at it. truly, a masterpiece in fiction!
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Although the pacing is quite slow, the plot and characters that make up this novel are so dramatic. We are enveloped in 1870s New York high society as seen through the eyes of the reluctant participant in these affairs, Newland Archer. The love triangle that ensues between Newland, his betrothed May, and her cousin, Ellen, is a slow burn of looks, tones, casual phrases, and then, finally, actions. I'm not sure why Wharton didn't just call the final chapter an epilogue as that's definitely how it reads when it takes us to the future after the final revelations of the penultimate chapter. I appreciate all this drama and the theme of restlessness with one's lot in life as well as the obvious cage and mask within which and under which most women lived during the time period. It's never clear why or how Newland suddenly sees through all the talk and society BS in the beginning, which is the only thing I felt contrived about the plot. It's just SO slow, and I'm not sure everyone would want to slog through it to appreciate the artistic drama and thematic elements present throughout.
Unfortunately I had no affection for any of the characters and even to the end was disappointed at their character flaws. It was an interesting perspective into that time period though and some of the prevailing thoughts and customs for the New York upper class.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
slow-paced