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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
I started reading this book then switched to audio. I had trouble keeping track of all the characters. Most of my annoyances with this book are because of the time period. Having to "do what's right" even though everyone is doing wrong. I found Archer lacking. From the very beginning, it's known that he had had affairs with married women. I didn't like the way he had intentions of molding May and exposing her to poetry and teaching her things. If she's that young and inexperienced, perhaps marry someone your own stature.
The looks that "said it it all". No! How about you ACTUALLY say it?! I could never be in a marriage where they go behind each other's backs and then lock the other into "doing the right thing".
I had to Google why Ellen even wanted a divorce and why Archer said she shouldn't, but I still don't understand it. For all the verbosity in this book, so much is left unsaid.
note to self: don't read time period pieces.
The looks that "said it it all". No! How about you ACTUALLY say it?! I could never be in a marriage where they go behind each other's backs and then lock the other into "doing the right thing".
I had to Google why Ellen even wanted a divorce and why Archer said she shouldn't, but I still don't understand it. For all the verbosity in this book, so much is left unsaid.
note to self: don't read time period pieces.
I kept reading thinking something would come of it and it never did. Very unsatisfying ending.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
I loved this. Clearly, it was written to be spoken aloud, the narration by Lorna Raver is spectacular and showcases how good the prose and flow are (I couldn’t find an edition with her as the narrator so chose an edition with a picture I liked best instead).
My favourite thing about this is the commentary on how old fashioned it is, and some of the characters are, yet how surprising some of the plot is. There is a constant ebb and flow of anticipation and a sense of inevitability that never comes. Another thing I liked was that just enough lines were dedicated to the effect the words in a conversation had on the characters. You always have a strong sense of what the character is thinking or feeling without needing to be let into their heads, often through metaphor or similes.
It also has one of the best endings of any book. It’s very elegant and the whole thing is enviable in its mastery.
My favourite thing about this is the commentary on how old fashioned it is, and some of the characters are, yet how surprising some of the plot is. There is a constant ebb and flow of anticipation and a sense of inevitability that never comes. Another thing I liked was that just enough lines were dedicated to the effect the words in a conversation had on the characters. You always have a strong sense of what the character is thinking or feeling without needing to be let into their heads, often through metaphor or similes.
It also has one of the best endings of any book. It’s very elegant and the whole thing is enviable in its mastery.
Comment: This is not a review of the book but more so some random thoughts I had about the book that I texted a friend.
Maybe you don’t share this opinion but Archer is a male character obviously written by a woman. I don’t know any real-life guy who acts like Archer. He’s almost delusional about Hellen. She makes the decisions that a good man would make: to leave a man to be a husband and father. Not that a guy can’t be like Archer. I don’t know what it’s like to be a man in love
Maybe you don’t share this opinion but Archer is a male character obviously written by a woman. I don’t know any real-life guy who acts like Archer. He’s almost delusional about Hellen. She makes the decisions that a good man would make: to leave a man to be a husband and father. Not that a guy can’t be like Archer. I don’t know what it’s like to be a man in love
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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:
Yes
Once again Edith Wharton has not let me down! Why did it take me so long to discover her?! Someone should have introduced us in high school. Her characters are so appropriate for the times in which she writes - yet so timeless. I have seen those characters in my life a century later! She captures the strengths, weaknesses, the angst and desires of all of us.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad