Reviews with content warning for Misogyny - The Age of Innocence

This novel paints a vivid picture of how life was like during old times and offers a compelling critique of the high society in Old New York. The author's portrayal is both stunning and searing, exposing the inner workings of the privileged elite in those days.

The characters, particularly the women, are exquisitely fleshed out, adding a delightful depth to the narrative.

No wonder this won a Pulitzer prize, definitely well-deserved.

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5aru's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Insightfully scathing, yet full of feeling, I can see why this is generally considered one of Wharton's best. Her portrait of society and the characters inhabiting it is intricate and delightfully, impeccably ironic, showcasing her descriptive and introspective ability. The novel as a whole is very clearly a play of contrasts, exposing the contradictions and hypocrisies of American cities at the time while delving deeply on their impact over the lives of the individuals raised within them — and, most particularly, the lives of women.

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