Laysee’s review of The Children > Likes and Comments
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Great review, Laysee!
Enjoyed your review. More Edith Wharton novels are always under consideration.
Julie wrote: "Great review, Laysee!"
Hi Julie! Thank you for stopping by to read and leave an encouraging comment.
Albert wrote: "Enjoyed your review. More Edith Wharton novels are always under consideration."
Thank you, Albert. This is an excellent book to read if you love Wharton's writing.
Great review, as always, Laysee. I'm a fan of Edith Wharton's elegant hand, and I'm sure that alone would have sufficed you to keep reading. I agree with you, a middle-aged man's attraction to a 15-year-old is quite icky. I had almost gagged when I found out that Mr. Knightley had a thing for Emma ever since she was 13, but I hope this one has a more realistic ending, as you suggested.
Vishakha wrote: "Great review, as always, Laysee. I'm a fan of Edith Wharton's elegant hand, and I'm sure that alone would have sufficed you to keep reading."
Thank you, Vishakha. This has all the classic traits that we've come to expect of a great Wharton novel. You will enjoy it.
"I agree with you, a middle-aged man's attraction to a 15-year-old is quite icky. I had almost gagged when I found out that Mr. Knightley had a thing for Emma ever since she was 13, but I hope this one has a more realistic ending, as you suggested."
I'm relieved I'm not alone in my discomfort. Thankfully, sane but sad ending.
Edith Wharton is such a masterful writer. I ended up liking this one quite a bit. I try to put everything in perspective of the time it was written. In the 1920s lots of girls were married by 16. Seems icky to us, but the original audience would probably not have cringed. Terrific review, Laysee.
Sara wrote: "Edith Wharton is such a masterful writer. I ended up liking this one quite a bit. I try to put everything in perspective of the time it was written. In the 1920s lots of girls were married by 16. Seems icky to us, but the original audience would probably not have cringed. Terrific review, Laysee."
Ah, indeed. Thank you, Sara, You're right, Gotta read this with the social context of the 1920s in mind, then we can respond appropriately.
I love Wharton, Laysee. I must try this one. Wonderful review.
Daniel wrote: “I love Wharton, Laysee. I must try this one. Wonderful review.”
Thank you, Daniel. Of course, you must try this one if you love Wharton. A great read.
Your reviews are always a delight to read, Laysee. (small voice) I have yet to read Wharton. Which Wharton work do you recommend for newbies? I have a copy of Summer on my shelf.
K wrote: "Your reviews are always a delight to read, Laysee. (small voice) I have yet to read Wharton. Which Wharton work do you recommend for newbies? I have a copy of Summer on my shelf."
You're unfailingly kind, K. Summer is a good read. The more compelling work, in my view, is The Age of Innocence. You will find her prose a joy to read.
I have never heard of this book by her, Laysee. It does sound like an unusual premise for a book. I agree that to us a middle age man falling for a sixteen year old sounds indecent but the times were different then. I loved your review, Laysee. Wish I could fit in another Wharton right now. Maybe in the fall…
Very nice review. I love Wharton but haven’t read this, though it’s been in my TBR forever. I think I need to move it up.
Antoinette wrote: "I have never heard of this book by her, Laysee. It does sound like an unusual premise for a book. I agree that to us a middle age man falling for a sixteen year old sounds indecent but the times were different then. I loved your review, Laysee. Wish I could fit in another Wharton right now. Maybe in the fall…."
Thank you, Antoinette. I'm glad times have changed. Too many books; too little time. Fall is as good a time as any to read this Wharton book.
Erin wrote: "Very nice review. I love Wharton but haven’t read this, though it’s been in my TBR forever. I think I need to move it up."
Hi Erin! Thank you for stopping by. Wharton fans will enjoy this work. You're in for a treat. Definitely, move it up TBR mountain. :-)
Just an interesting side-note. Life expectancy in 1920s was 54.7 years. If you factor out infant mortality, men averaged 63.2. So, a middle-aged man would have been in his 30s, and women married on average by the age of 21, but 16 was the age of marriageable girls with parental consent. I suppose a man looking at a younger girl would not be uncommon, and life experience would have made them seem more mature. Sixteen year olds had responsibilities we would never give them today--such as Judith caring for all these siblings.
Sorry for intruding on your thread, Laysee, just some thoughts I pursued and then wanted to share.
Sara wrote: "Just an interesting side-note. Life expectancy in 1920s was 54.7 years. If you factor out infant mortality, men averaged 63.2. So, a middle-aged man would have been in his 30s, and women married on average by the age of 21, but 16 was the age of marriageable girls with parental consent. I suppose a man looking at a younger girl would not be uncommon, and life experience would have made them seem more mature. Sixteen year olds had responsibilities we would never give them today--such as Judith caring for all these siblings."
This information is helpful to provide the social and cultural context of this book. In its light, the novel made more sense to me.
"Sorry for intruding on your thread, Laysee, just some thoughts I pursued and then wanted to share.."
Not at all, Sara. Thank you for returning to share this information for modern day readers like me who are unfamiliar with the social norms of the late 19th to early 20th century in the U.S.
Lisa (NY) wrote: "This sounds good!"
Hi Lisa, I'm glad you're adding this book. I hope you'll like it.
This sounds interesting Laysee, Wharton was a star, right? I loved the way she examined, and often made fun of (not saying that's the case here) the chattering classes. This comment of yours made me chuckle - You wrote: "........vacuous lives of the wealthy and privileged class.". I love the sound of this one, and you've reminded me to get back to Edith one day soon. Great review my friend 🤗🎈🎈
Mark wrote: "This sounds interesting Laysee, Wharton was a star, right? I loved the way she examined, and often made fun of (not saying that's the case here) the chattering classes. This comment of yours made me chuckle - You wrote: "........vacuous lives of the wealthy and privileged class.". I love the sound of this one, and you've reminded me to get back to Edith one day soon. Great review my friend 🤗🎈🎈"
Thank you, Mark. This book is right down your alley given your admiration for Wharton's literary skills. She is undoubtedly a star!
This does sound like an unusual topic for Wharton, but I have no doubt her prose wins the day! I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this one, Laysee :)
Candi wrote: "This does sound like an unusual topic for Wharton, but I have no doubt her prose wins the day! I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this one, Laysee :)"
Thank you, Candi. Wharton's prose is always a pleasure to read.
What a lovely review, Laysee! As a fan of Wharton's writing, this sounds perfect for me.
Kimber wrote: "What a lovely review, Laysee! As a fan of Wharton's writing, this sounds perfect for me."
Thank you, Kimber. Yes, a Wharton fan would love this book. Enjoy!
Laysee...What an outstanding review of a novel of found family! Blood relations are not the end all, cobbled together siblings can rule! I'm glad Wharton's writing was engaging!🤗
Fran wrote: "Laysee...What an outstanding review of a novel of found family! Blood relations are not the end all, cobbled together siblings can rule! I'm glad Wharton's writing was engaging!🤗"
Thanks so much, Fran. It was as, you aptly described, a novel about a found family. Wharton is a joy to read.
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Jun 04, 2026 05:11AM
Great review, Laysee!
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Enjoyed your review. More Edith Wharton novels are always under consideration.
Julie wrote: "Great review, Laysee!"Hi Julie! Thank you for stopping by to read and leave an encouraging comment.
Albert wrote: "Enjoyed your review. More Edith Wharton novels are always under consideration."Thank you, Albert. This is an excellent book to read if you love Wharton's writing.
Great review, as always, Laysee. I'm a fan of Edith Wharton's elegant hand, and I'm sure that alone would have sufficed you to keep reading. I agree with you, a middle-aged man's attraction to a 15-year-old is quite icky. I had almost gagged when I found out that Mr. Knightley had a thing for Emma ever since she was 13, but I hope this one has a more realistic ending, as you suggested.
Vishakha wrote: "Great review, as always, Laysee. I'm a fan of Edith Wharton's elegant hand, and I'm sure that alone would have sufficed you to keep reading."Thank you, Vishakha. This has all the classic traits that we've come to expect of a great Wharton novel. You will enjoy it.
"I agree with you, a middle-aged man's attraction to a 15-year-old is quite icky. I had almost gagged when I found out that Mr. Knightley had a thing for Emma ever since she was 13, but I hope this one has a more realistic ending, as you suggested."
I'm relieved I'm not alone in my discomfort. Thankfully, sane but sad ending.
Edith Wharton is such a masterful writer. I ended up liking this one quite a bit. I try to put everything in perspective of the time it was written. In the 1920s lots of girls were married by 16. Seems icky to us, but the original audience would probably not have cringed. Terrific review, Laysee.
Sara wrote: "Edith Wharton is such a masterful writer. I ended up liking this one quite a bit. I try to put everything in perspective of the time it was written. In the 1920s lots of girls were married by 16. Seems icky to us, but the original audience would probably not have cringed. Terrific review, Laysee."Ah, indeed. Thank you, Sara, You're right, Gotta read this with the social context of the 1920s in mind, then we can respond appropriately.
I love Wharton, Laysee. I must try this one. Wonderful review.
Daniel wrote: “I love Wharton, Laysee. I must try this one. Wonderful review.”Thank you, Daniel. Of course, you must try this one if you love Wharton. A great read.
Your reviews are always a delight to read, Laysee. (small voice) I have yet to read Wharton. Which Wharton work do you recommend for newbies? I have a copy of Summer on my shelf.
K wrote: "Your reviews are always a delight to read, Laysee. (small voice) I have yet to read Wharton. Which Wharton work do you recommend for newbies? I have a copy of Summer on my shelf."You're unfailingly kind, K. Summer is a good read. The more compelling work, in my view, is The Age of Innocence. You will find her prose a joy to read.
I have never heard of this book by her, Laysee. It does sound like an unusual premise for a book. I agree that to us a middle age man falling for a sixteen year old sounds indecent but the times were different then. I loved your review, Laysee. Wish I could fit in another Wharton right now. Maybe in the fall…
Very nice review. I love Wharton but haven’t read this, though it’s been in my TBR forever. I think I need to move it up.
Antoinette wrote: "I have never heard of this book by her, Laysee. It does sound like an unusual premise for a book. I agree that to us a middle age man falling for a sixteen year old sounds indecent but the times were different then. I loved your review, Laysee. Wish I could fit in another Wharton right now. Maybe in the fall…."Thank you, Antoinette. I'm glad times have changed. Too many books; too little time. Fall is as good a time as any to read this Wharton book.
Erin wrote: "Very nice review. I love Wharton but haven’t read this, though it’s been in my TBR forever. I think I need to move it up."Hi Erin! Thank you for stopping by. Wharton fans will enjoy this work. You're in for a treat. Definitely, move it up TBR mountain. :-)
Just an interesting side-note. Life expectancy in 1920s was 54.7 years. If you factor out infant mortality, men averaged 63.2. So, a middle-aged man would have been in his 30s, and women married on average by the age of 21, but 16 was the age of marriageable girls with parental consent. I suppose a man looking at a younger girl would not be uncommon, and life experience would have made them seem more mature. Sixteen year olds had responsibilities we would never give them today--such as Judith caring for all these siblings.Sorry for intruding on your thread, Laysee, just some thoughts I pursued and then wanted to share.
Sara wrote: "Just an interesting side-note. Life expectancy in 1920s was 54.7 years. If you factor out infant mortality, men averaged 63.2. So, a middle-aged man would have been in his 30s, and women married on average by the age of 21, but 16 was the age of marriageable girls with parental consent. I suppose a man looking at a younger girl would not be uncommon, and life experience would have made them seem more mature. Sixteen year olds had responsibilities we would never give them today--such as Judith caring for all these siblings."This information is helpful to provide the social and cultural context of this book. In its light, the novel made more sense to me.
"Sorry for intruding on your thread, Laysee, just some thoughts I pursued and then wanted to share.."
Not at all, Sara. Thank you for returning to share this information for modern day readers like me who are unfamiliar with the social norms of the late 19th to early 20th century in the U.S.
Lisa (NY) wrote: "This sounds good!"Hi Lisa, I'm glad you're adding this book. I hope you'll like it.
This sounds interesting Laysee, Wharton was a star, right? I loved the way she examined, and often made fun of (not saying that's the case here) the chattering classes. This comment of yours made me chuckle - You wrote: "........vacuous lives of the wealthy and privileged class.". I love the sound of this one, and you've reminded me to get back to Edith one day soon. Great review my friend 🤗🎈🎈
Mark wrote: "This sounds interesting Laysee, Wharton was a star, right? I loved the way she examined, and often made fun of (not saying that's the case here) the chattering classes. This comment of yours made me chuckle - You wrote: "........vacuous lives of the wealthy and privileged class.". I love the sound of this one, and you've reminded me to get back to Edith one day soon. Great review my friend 🤗🎈🎈"Thank you, Mark. This book is right down your alley given your admiration for Wharton's literary skills. She is undoubtedly a star!
This does sound like an unusual topic for Wharton, but I have no doubt her prose wins the day! I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this one, Laysee :)
Candi wrote: "This does sound like an unusual topic for Wharton, but I have no doubt her prose wins the day! I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this one, Laysee :)"Thank you, Candi. Wharton's prose is always a pleasure to read.
What a lovely review, Laysee! As a fan of Wharton's writing, this sounds perfect for me.
Kimber wrote: "What a lovely review, Laysee! As a fan of Wharton's writing, this sounds perfect for me."Thank you, Kimber. Yes, a Wharton fan would love this book. Enjoy!
Laysee...What an outstanding review of a novel of found family! Blood relations are not the end all, cobbled together siblings can rule! I'm glad Wharton's writing was engaging!🤗
Fran wrote: "Laysee...What an outstanding review of a novel of found family! Blood relations are not the end all, cobbled together siblings can rule! I'm glad Wharton's writing was engaging!🤗"Thanks so much, Fran. It was as, you aptly described, a novel about a found family. Wharton is a joy to read.
