A tale about the social constraints of high society in late 19th century New York. I came into this looking for an interesting and light read to pass the time but delightedly concluded that it was so much more. As someone who is fascinated by this era in American history, I enjoyed both the historical context and the vividly engaging plot. To sum up this plot, at the forefront is a conforming (or so he thinks) high society young man, Newland Archer, and his tension between the traditionally acceptable foundation that holds his social milieu together and his subconscious desires. While on his conflicted journey, he begins to detest the only world he's ever known - a detest furthered by the quiet and delicate conspiracies of his contemporaries to keep him bound to this world so as to maintain the collective comforts and securities that it brings. The catalyst that tips the balance of Newland Archer's contentment in his life (he is engaged to the kind hearted May Welland who is pleasant to look at, easy to read, comes from an equally esteemed family as Newland, and brings about no surprises or difficulties) is the arrival of May's cousin, the Countess Ellen Olenska who has returned from a long duration in Europe where she has fled from her husband, the Count. Ellen is a free spirit who is aware, though not completely, of the rules and restrictions of Old New York, but on many occasions, chooses not to follow them. Ellen gives Newland a glimpse of life without these restrictions and he is, needless to say, infatuated with Ellen and what she represents. Thus, Newland becomes more and more hateful of his own shackled way of life. The tragedy of this love story is, for me, the most fulfilling component of the book. Much can be learned, both about the time period itself and human nature as a whole, from the tragic unravellings of this great American love story.