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What Members Thought
This is a novel that I’ve wanted to read for a long time. I thought I would like it, since I had liked House of Mirth, but what surprised me was that when I dedicated time to sit down and read it, I didn’t want to stop reading it. The world of Archer Newland and his ilk didn’t seem that remote to me. I’m looking forward to reading more Wharton books in the future. (view spoiler)
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In this American classic of America's Gilded Age, Newland Archer (known to all as Archer) finds himself in an approach-approach conflict. On one hand, he is betrothed to May Welland, a member of America's aristocracy, who has been raised to be the perfect wife and mother. On the other hand, he is passionately attracted to Ellen Olenska, a cousin of May. She became a countess by marrying the Count Olenska. Her decision to seek a divorce has become a social scandal which is only aggravated by her
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This is one of those books that has been on my to-read list forever now. I've been doing a Reading Challenge for 2015 and one of the categories was a "Classic Romance," so I figured this would be the perfect book.
I ended up disappointed in my choice. I found this book to be a quite boring to be honest. Considering that it is somewhat billed as a love triangle there was such a lack of passion and fire. I know the time period was a little chaste back then, but I just expected more. The characters ...more
I ended up disappointed in my choice. I found this book to be a quite boring to be honest. Considering that it is somewhat billed as a love triangle there was such a lack of passion and fire. I know the time period was a little chaste back then, but I just expected more. The characters ...more
Romance/social satire exposing the banality and hypocrisy of New York 'Society' in the late 19th Century. Attitudes about divorce and the sexual double-standard get the most thorough between-lines criticism, and the book rises above this narrow pedantic goal with beautiful writing and an engaging love story.
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This novel is not what I would call an exciting read, although, I suppose that is to be expected when the majority of the characters are elitist, do-nothings. Overall, the book was not fantastic but I liked it nonetheless.
A book that moved me emotionally and intellectually. Make a choice between family, safety, and tradition or adventure, the unknown, and excitement. That makes it sound a little trite by Wharton carries it off beautifully and left me with an aching heart.
Sep 02, 2010
Brittany Gillis
marked it as to-read
Dec 09, 2010
Mackenzie
marked it as classics
Dec 16, 2011
MichelleCH
marked it as to-read
Apr 15, 2012
Katie
marked it as to-read
Jun 28, 2016
Marleah (marleah_a)
marked it as to-read
Mar 18, 2018
SibylM
added it
