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ricefun's review against another edition
3.0
I can see Wharton’s tight and delicious writing style throughout this book. Beyond that, I’m not enamored with the characters nor plot.
Many times thought this book I felt that Wharton was sharing autobiographical glimpses into her life as a writer, and the difficulty of sustaining passion for one book. Often this theme felt more substantial than the theme of the love story between Halo and Vance, our main characters.
Halo is enigmatic and also takes on aspects of a woman Wharton may have aspired to be - particularly in her relationship with Morton Fullerton. However, because the point of view shifts so often to Vance and away from Halo, her character becomes washed out.
I’d not realized that this story followed that of “Hudson River Bracketed,” one of her only novels I have yet to read, so that may have helped me to connect more deeply to a continuing plot line if I had read it first.
Many times thought this book I felt that Wharton was sharing autobiographical glimpses into her life as a writer, and the difficulty of sustaining passion for one book. Often this theme felt more substantial than the theme of the love story between Halo and Vance, our main characters.
Halo is enigmatic and also takes on aspects of a woman Wharton may have aspired to be - particularly in her relationship with Morton Fullerton. However, because the point of view shifts so often to Vance and away from Halo, her character becomes washed out.
I’d not realized that this story followed that of “Hudson River Bracketed,” one of her only novels I have yet to read, so that may have helped me to connect more deeply to a continuing plot line if I had read it first.
sweetsequels's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a slowwwww burn.
The Gods Arrive is the companion novel to Hudson River Bracketed, and really should be considered the second volume in one continuous story. It chronicles the lives of unmarried lovers Vance Weston and Halo Tarrant as they begin a life together after Halo separates from her husband.
The first half of the book was meandering and rather slow; it wasn't until 250 pages or so in that a central conflict emerged. Even still, the character building in this story is incredible. I enjoyed getting to know Vance and Halo better, and after a combined nearly thousand pages of getting to know them throughout the two books, I am sad to let their story go. Though Vance was an utter idiot throughout most of this book, I thought the way Wharton developed his character was immaculate and realistic. There is no satire or caricaturization to be found here, in my opinion. I enjoyed Wharton's expression of the artistic spirit in Vance's development as a writer. To anyone who has dreams of becoming a novelist, I highly recommend both this book and it's predecessor.
I will say, it is hard to believe that the same woman who wrote Ethan Frome wrote this behemoth of a story. They differ drastically; Wharton wrote HRB and TGA at the end of her life, so perhaps that had something to do with it. I couldn't help but wonder if some of the occurrences in the book and the cynicism that laces the story had to do with her own jilted love affair with Morton Fullerton, or her failed marriage with Teddy Wharton.
This is not a book I would recommend if you are new to Wharton. In fact, if it's your first or second or even third Wharton you would probably hate it. But if you're familiar with her work and her life, I highly recommend both books in this series. Be sure you devote time to it, though, and be prepared to leave a little piece of your heart behind when you finish
The Gods Arrive is the companion novel to Hudson River Bracketed, and really should be considered the second volume in one continuous story. It chronicles the lives of unmarried lovers Vance Weston and Halo Tarrant as they begin a life together after Halo separates from her husband.
The first half of the book was meandering and rather slow; it wasn't until 250 pages or so in that a central conflict emerged. Even still, the character building in this story is incredible. I enjoyed getting to know Vance and Halo better, and after a combined nearly thousand pages of getting to know them throughout the two books, I am sad to let their story go. Though Vance was an utter idiot throughout most of this book, I thought the way Wharton developed his character was immaculate and realistic. There is no satire or caricaturization to be found here, in my opinion. I enjoyed Wharton's expression of the artistic spirit in Vance's development as a writer. To anyone who has dreams of becoming a novelist, I highly recommend both this book and it's predecessor.
I will say, it is hard to believe that the same woman who wrote Ethan Frome wrote this behemoth of a story. They differ drastically; Wharton wrote HRB and TGA at the end of her life, so perhaps that had something to do with it. I couldn't help but wonder if some of the occurrences in the book and the cynicism that laces the story had to do with her own jilted love affair with Morton Fullerton, or her failed marriage with Teddy Wharton.
This is not a book I would recommend if you are new to Wharton. In fact, if it's your first or second or even third Wharton you would probably hate it. But if you're familiar with her work and her life, I highly recommend both books in this series. Be sure you devote time to it, though, and be prepared to leave a little piece of your heart behind when you finish
bookeboy's review against another edition
4.0
Make sure you read Hudson River Bracketed first.
The God Arrive could be renamed A Portrait of a Young Areshole Artist. Vance isn't too appealing but I did find much to admire in the novel. Not his character so much but others things. I wouldn't recommend you rush to read this, but I'm getting the impression all Edith Wharton's novels are worth the price of admission.
The God Arrive could be renamed A Portrait of a Young Areshole Artist. Vance isn't too appealing but I did find much to admire in the novel. Not his character so much but others things. I wouldn't recommend you rush to read this, but I'm getting the impression all Edith Wharton's novels are worth the price of admission.
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