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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
I’ve been trying to figure out why I didn’t like this book much. Lots of little things bothered me: one thing was that I could tell the author was writing about a time period not her own and looking back as if from a superior vantage point in history and society. She was trying to show how petty and superficial high society was at the time, but yeah I think rich people have always been like that right? Lots of rules to follow and tons of fear of scandal. Its not like the 20’s were perfectly enlightened (she keeps referring to the “mulatto maid”). It’s weird because I love Jane Austen, whose books are also about the love lives of rich, privileged white people, but I feel invested in her characters and feel for them. I understand why they fall in love with the people they do and sympathize with them for the obstacles they have to overcome. Instead while reading this I often wanted to roll my eyes at Archer for his infatuation: wow, this new girl is sooo brave and different, did you know she went shopping at a time people don’t usually go? She wore a dress of a slightly different color than most do at the opera? Never met anybody like her! And why does the countess like Archer? She talks about his “kindness” to her, but aside from moving up his engagement announcement (oh so brave!), he’s never done anything to help her. The last chapter with his son was so odd; what a heartless, thoughtless person the kid must be to talk to his father like that! Archer should have gone up. Oh well. Whatever.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I want to kill myself.
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:
Complicated
3 Stars — Elegant Prose, Restrained Passion
The Age of Innocence is a beautifully written exploration of love, duty, and societal expectations in Gilded Age New York. Edith Wharton’s prose is elegant and insightful, offering a rich portrait of an upper-class world bound by rigid conventions and unspoken rules.
At the heart of the novel is Newland Archer, a man torn between doing what is expected and following his heart. His inner conflict—especially regarding the unconventional Countess Ellen Olenska—is the driving force of the story. The emotional restraint between the characters is realistic for the time, but at times, it can also feel frustratingly slow or overly subtle.
While Wharton masterfully captures the quiet tragedy of a life half-lived, the novel’s pace and the characters’ passivity might leave some readers wanting more momentum or passion. Still, its commentary on appearances, sacrifice, and social pressure is timeless.
A classic worth reading, but one that may resonate more for its historical and literary significance than for its entertainment value
The Age of Innocence is a beautifully written exploration of love, duty, and societal expectations in Gilded Age New York. Edith Wharton’s prose is elegant and insightful, offering a rich portrait of an upper-class world bound by rigid conventions and unspoken rules.
At the heart of the novel is Newland Archer, a man torn between doing what is expected and following his heart. His inner conflict—especially regarding the unconventional Countess Ellen Olenska—is the driving force of the story. The emotional restraint between the characters is realistic for the time, but at times, it can also feel frustratingly slow or overly subtle.
While Wharton masterfully captures the quiet tragedy of a life half-lived, the novel’s pace and the characters’ passivity might leave some readers wanting more momentum or passion. Still, its commentary on appearances, sacrifice, and social pressure is timeless.
A classic worth reading, but one that may resonate more for its historical and literary significance than for its entertainment value
Not something that I would ever consider pick up, and was read as part of a book club read.
It is set in the upper echelons of New York society in the late 1800's, and Wharton has written about a series of families and their interactions. One of the cousins in this society has separated from her husband and this is seen as slightly scandalous. Archer, starts to fall in love with her, but ends up marring another girl.
Whilst it is is written fairly well, and she sets the scene of society at that time very well, I found that the characters were almost impossible to empathise with or connect to. They are too consumed with being seen to be in the right place and with the right people.
Has not encouraged me to read any other classics.
It is set in the upper echelons of New York society in the late 1800's, and Wharton has written about a series of families and their interactions. One of the cousins in this society has separated from her husband and this is seen as slightly scandalous. Archer, starts to fall in love with her, but ends up marring another girl.
Whilst it is is written fairly well, and she sets the scene of society at that time very well, I found that the characters were almost impossible to empathise with or connect to. They are too consumed with being seen to be in the right place and with the right people.
Has not encouraged me to read any other classics.
A beautifully written meditation on self-awareness, the way we think about others, and the nature of love.
I kept expecting to HATE this book, because the characters keep making choices I hate, but it definitely kept me reading straight to the end.
The quality of writing is excellent, the characters interesting (at times, frustrating).
I also loved the ending because I think it allows room for so many different interpretations. Personally, I saw it as yet another excellent reason not to have an affair, even an emotional one. I don't feel so much sorry that things "didn't work out" the way he wanted them to, but sorry that he unerringly made choices that led him to that bench in Paris.
I kept expecting to HATE this book, because the characters keep making choices I hate, but it definitely kept me reading straight to the end.
The quality of writing is excellent, the characters interesting (at times, frustrating).
I also loved the ending because I think it allows room for so many different interpretations. Personally, I saw it as yet another excellent reason not to have an affair, even an emotional one. I don't feel so much sorry that things "didn't work out" the way he wanted them to, but sorry that he unerringly made choices that led him to that bench in Paris.
If the ending were different, this would be an easy 5 stars. This book gave me modern Jane Austen vibes and it did not disappoint. I got to tour The Mount (Edith Wharton’s home) right after reading this book and my respect for her is significant. Definitely planning to read more of Wharton!
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I get it. The commentary on society, gender roles, and all that jazz. But, for the life of me, I do not care. It is so fucking boring. I was determined to get this off my list and I’m done. House of Mirth was better and that says a lot bc that novel is depressing, but at least you care about the characters.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a drag!!!!! All the nuance of this novel gets shoved to the wayside of the main character's selfishness and cowardice, and do not get me started on that ending. So dissatisfying!