A review by graywacke
The Children by Edith Wharton

lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

Felt light to me. Entertaining, but was she pushing any boundaries, other than maybe a man being attracted to a 15-year-old girl, almost Lolita-aged. The book is centered on this relationship, Martin's attraction hinted at in the text in various ways. We are always wondering whether Martin will cross the line, become creepy. Without that tension, I'm not sure there's much a book here. But Martin makes an interesting character, a psychological mess of self-misunderstanding and rationalization. His fiancé, Rose Sellars, is something more along the lines of a cold reason, an unreachable goddess who never makes a wrong step. We learn to admire her. But not sure we like Martin much after all is done.