amlohf 's review for:

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

4.0

challenging reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

Although the pacing is quite slow, the plot and characters that make up this novel are so dramatic. We are enveloped in 1870s New York high society as seen through the eyes of the reluctant participant in these affairs, Newland Archer. The love triangle that ensues between Newland, his betrothed May, and her cousin, Ellen, is a slow burn of looks, tones, casual phrases, and then, finally, actions. I'm not sure why Wharton didn't just call the final chapter an epilogue as that's definitely how it reads when it takes us to the future after the final revelations of the penultimate chapter. I appreciate all this drama and the theme of restlessness with one's lot in life as well as the obvious cage and mask within which and under which most women lived during the time period. It's never clear why or how Newland suddenly sees through all the talk and society BS in the beginning, which is the only thing I felt contrived about the plot. It's just SO slow, and I'm not sure everyone would want to slog through it to appreciate the artistic drama and thematic elements present throughout.