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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
"...and so the evening swept on, running and running like a senseless river that did not know how to stop.”
Newland Archer, a young man whose grown up amongst the socialist attitudes of New York in 1870, is eager to marry his sweetheart, society’s standard of a suitable young lady, May Welland. Shortly after pressuring May to announce their engagement and marry quickly, Newland becomes infatuated with May’s cousin, Ellen Olenska. Ellen, estranged from her philandering husband, is viewed as the outcast of the family because she’s chosen to leave her husband.
I have several more marks against Archer but after reflecting on Wharton’s approach in crafting this book, I’ve decided to share what I’ve taken away from reading The Age of Innocence.
Wharton shines light on the common attitudes of the time period while at the same time showing us the effects of those attitudes. Societal norms and unspoken rules; for instance, the behavior of men knowningly being involved with a few women before they settle down with a respectable girl like May. Of course a respectable woman would NEVER engage in such behavior; she is expected to accept her betrothed was involved in other relationships before marriage (and in some cases would continue to do so). This behavior was not frowned upon in the least, dogs will be dogs as some people say, but what respectable woman wants to settle for someone else’s soiled leftovers?
Overall, I think I enjoyed the writing by Wharton, it doesn’t disappoint in the least, but Newland disappoints me. Ellen and May are the women of this story that deserve to be remembered instead.
full review here: https://booksbythecup.wordpress.com/2018/05/04/the-age-of-innocence-review/
Newland Archer, a young man whose grown up amongst the socialist attitudes of New York in 1870, is eager to marry his sweetheart, society’s standard of a suitable young lady, May Welland. Shortly after pressuring May to announce their engagement and marry quickly, Newland becomes infatuated with May’s cousin, Ellen Olenska. Ellen, estranged from her philandering husband, is viewed as the outcast of the family because she’s chosen to leave her husband.
I have several more marks against Archer but after reflecting on Wharton’s approach in crafting this book, I’ve decided to share what I’ve taken away from reading The Age of Innocence.
Wharton shines light on the common attitudes of the time period while at the same time showing us the effects of those attitudes. Societal norms and unspoken rules; for instance, the behavior of men knowningly being involved with a few women before they settle down with a respectable girl like May. Of course a respectable woman would NEVER engage in such behavior; she is expected to accept her betrothed was involved in other relationships before marriage (and in some cases would continue to do so). This behavior was not frowned upon in the least, dogs will be dogs as some people say, but what respectable woman wants to settle for someone else’s soiled leftovers?
Overall, I think I enjoyed the writing by Wharton, it doesn’t disappoint in the least, but Newland disappoints me. Ellen and May are the women of this story that deserve to be remembered instead.
full review here: https://booksbythecup.wordpress.com/2018/05/04/the-age-of-innocence-review/
challenging
funny
lighthearted
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
I don't normally review books and there's no plot detail here, but felt I had to comment on the Age of Innocence. Ostensibly a novel set in the stuffy cloistered New York elite in the 1870's might sound dull, but it most certainly isn't. What moved me was the brilliance and beauty of the writing, some modern authors seem to think regurgitating a thesaurus and making their plots impenetrable or non existent makes a great novel. What makes this novel so wonderful is the lightness of touch, there's no dense, dull or stuffy prose, no dated phrasing or obscure words, just beautifully crafted sentences that read so easily and that paint a vivid picture. The story is interesting in itself but I haven't been as struck or moved by writing of this quality for many years. And it is a moving emotional story. Such deftness of touch is the mark a true literary genius. Go read.
emotional
reflective
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
I’m absolutely a FURIOUS I have not read this book earlier. MY GOD. What a perfect novel about obligations to outdated tradition, fear of an unfulfilled life, and the cost of freedom (especially as a woman in the late 19th century). This novel was full of twists and turns, even to the very last page. Even when the characters were at times frustrating and problematically patriarchal, my heart cheered for them and subsequently hurt for them. Now on to read everything written by Edith Wharton....
Edith Wharton's "The Age of Innocence," written in 1920, is a novel out of another time (Think HBO's "The Gilded Age"). Though heavy on romance drama (including the almost inevitable love triangle), I fell for Wharton's writing skills. It was best summed by the New York Times review of 1920: "The characters are introduced naturally — every action and every conversation advance the plot. The style is a thing of beauty from first page to last. One dwells with pleasure on the “exquisite moments” of passion and tragedy, and of the “silver correspondences” that rise from the sky like the moon on a cloudless night."
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I started this book a year ago. I am embarrassed that it took me this long in life to get to, and embarrassed to admit to how long it took me to finish. Anyone would think this is right up my alley. They would be right. Having said all that, I am glad I waited this long, as I'm sure many of the subtleties therein would have been lost on me earlier. And the struggle to finish is a testament to Edith Wharton's skill, as I found Newland Archer to be an increasingly detestable person and couldn't spend more than a few pages at a time with him.
I am only a little upset at the introduction (to this edition) by L. Auchincloss. Luckily I read it after I finished the book, because he totally spoils the ending. I also took exception with his idea that May is "dull." Underestimating May is an obvious mistake. It is Newland who thinks she is dull, and his powers of perception are quite clearly flawed.
I am only a little upset at the introduction (to this edition) by L. Auchincloss. Luckily I read it after I finished the book, because he totally spoils the ending. I also took exception with his idea that May is "dull." Underestimating May is an obvious mistake. It is Newland who thinks she is dull, and his powers of perception are quite clearly flawed.
Started slow, was not interested first few times I started but gets going.