Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
Set in a New York of the 1870s Wharton won the Pulitzer Prize for this novel. Apparently she was displeased to find that it was chosen due to having "best present[ed] the wholesome atmosphere of American life and the highest standard of American manners and manhood" and rightly so as her novel shows the pompous idiocy of that generation trapped by the rules of their society.
I'm sure there are people who have had to read this book at school and discuss the imagery (Newland Archer, is his name a shadow of the New World to come, is he an ironic pioneer who cannot partake?). But there is such joy on Wharton's descriptions as she pokes fun at the staid and stuffy society he inhabits.
The pictures she paints are so clear that I was shocked to discover Scorsese had cast Winona Ryder as May and Michelle Pfeiffer as Ellen - if anything I'd have put them the other way around. I can't imagine how he filmed what is essentially an examination of unrequited love in a repressed society where glances speak volumes.
I was not surprised at how the novel ended, in the end it was only proper. But I can't say I wasn't a little disappointed on both Newland and Ellen's behalf. The true innocent here turned out to be Newland himself and his wife, May, the victorious hunter.
"'Women ought to be free - as free as we are,' he declared, making a discovery of which he was too irritated to measure the terrific consequences."
So states Newland towards the end of chapter 5. But, alas, none of you were really free.
I'm sure there are people who have had to read this book at school and discuss the imagery (Newland Archer, is his name a shadow of the New World to come, is he an ironic pioneer who cannot partake?). But there is such joy on Wharton's descriptions as she pokes fun at the staid and stuffy society he inhabits.
The pictures she paints are so clear that I was shocked to discover Scorsese had cast Winona Ryder as May and Michelle Pfeiffer as Ellen - if anything I'd have put them the other way around. I can't imagine how he filmed what is essentially an examination of unrequited love in a repressed society where glances speak volumes.
I was not surprised at how the novel ended, in the end it was only proper. But I can't say I wasn't a little disappointed on both Newland and Ellen's behalf. The true innocent here turned out to be Newland himself and his wife, May, the victorious hunter.
"'Women ought to be free - as free as we are,' he declared, making a discovery of which he was too irritated to measure the terrific consequences."
So states Newland towards the end of chapter 5. But, alas, none of you were really free.
The extra .5 was for the writing quality. I however did not enjoy the Rich white people problems of the gilded era. The symbolism helped the doldrums that I felt reading about the pining and literal boredom of the characters.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of the more surprising books I’ve read. I did not anticipate liking it but there’s a lot of human nature in this book and because of that I find the characters to be extra intriguing.
The story is centered around societies norms and the constant struggle against the weight of expectations and an individuals desire. This is taken in the form of theNewland Archer and Ellen Olenska and their romance, or forbidden romance.
I found myself identifying with Archer throughout most of the book until he became more and moreerratic towards the end. He seemed to be so obvious in his actions and thoughts but no one seemed to notice. Least of all his wife.
The last two chapters really take this book up another level for me. We have theparty in which Archer slowly realizes that everyone suspects him and Ellen of an affair that really hasn’t happened. Archer plans to leave everything behind and chase Ellen. But is stopped when he finds out May is pregnant.
He then lives an entire life as a devoted husband and father. He gives up on youthful dreams and devotes himself to the responsibility of old. Only to find himself in a situation years later after their spouse’s death where he can see her and rather than take the opportunity he would rather live in his imagination.
The key scene for me is where he finds out from his son just how much May his wife understood him despite seemingly being aloof and loved him anyway and more so because she knew his desires and he cast them aside because in her words, she asked him too when those words were never spoken.
I can’t help but feel that also played a role in him not visiting Ellen in the end. May surprised him in a way he didn’t think was possible. That and he was never a brave man and would prefer to live in his fantasies rather than explore them.
Either way, a fantastic book. I’m not a romance reader but this explores human nature at a deeper level and the lounging and regret that is found within in it.
The story is centered around societies norms and the constant struggle against the weight of expectations and an individuals desire. This is taken in the form of the
I found myself identifying with Archer throughout most of the book until he became more and more
The last two chapters really take this book up another level for me. We have the
He then lives an entire life as a devoted husband and father. He gives up on youthful dreams and devotes himself to the responsibility of old. Only to find himself in a situation years later after their spouse’s death where he can see her and rather than take the opportunity he would rather live in his imagination.
I can’t help but feel that also played a role in him not visiting Ellen in the end. May surprised him in a way he didn’t think was possible. That and he was never a brave man and would prefer to live in his fantasies rather than explore them.
Either way, a fantastic book. I’m not a romance reader but this explores human nature at a deeper level and the lounging and regret that is found within in it.
I liked Edith Wharton's wit. Her commentary on New York society was humorous and seemed genuine. Wharton also managed to pull me in to the love triangle and make me sweat the outcome.
I think I would have been happier with a shorter story. Wharton may not have been able to accomplish as much, but I got frustrated with the emotional ineptitude of the characters. One of her themes, no doubt, but frustrating all the same.
I'll give another Edith Wharton book a try, but not immediately.
I think I would have been happier with a shorter story. Wharton may not have been able to accomplish as much, but I got frustrated with the emotional ineptitude of the characters. One of her themes, no doubt, but frustrating all the same.
I'll give another Edith Wharton book a try, but not immediately.
emotional
reflective
sad
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
Newland Archer is one of the saddest characters to ever exist and May deserved so much better.
Such a well written exploration of upper class society in the 1870’s.
an enchanting little story. there is far more to May than meets the eye. beneath her innocent and polite exterior she has the capacity for manipulation. she is not naive. wharton defies the bigotry and misogyny of low expectations. sophisticated, well mannered, intelligent but without being overbearing. (not much has changed in this regard.) whartons descriptions of people, places, their vestments, of quotidian life are centerpieces of this novel. she took great attention to the details. this in turn made her novel vibrant and indelible.
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
tense
medium-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
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes