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vhindy 's review for:
The Age of Innocence
by Edith Wharton
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.