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Oct 11, 2011
Corinne Blackmer
rated it
it was amazing
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review of another edition
Shelves:
fiction,
earlier-american
Newland Archer, the focus of consciousness in this third person narrative novel, finds himself in love with the beautiful and exotic Ellen Olenska, whose fineness of wit and perception he cannot quite penetrate. At a signal moment in their failed romance--failed, because Archer chooses not to say no to his fiancee May--Archer implores Ellen if there is not some place--some utopia (or, better, u-topos) where they might go to realize their love without pressure of social norms or labels. Ellen wis
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Beautiful and sad, this is the story of an affair of the heart set in 19th century New York City.
Newland Archer lives the life expected of him--he is rich, tidy, has a leisurely, unnecessary job, and is about to marry the pure, girlish May Welland. Everything is expected, he knows all the correct and ever so important rules of good taste that rule his little world. He believes himself to be perfectly happy. Then, his fiancee's unique cousin, the Countess Olenska, returns to New York after a sad ...more
Newland Archer lives the life expected of him--he is rich, tidy, has a leisurely, unnecessary job, and is about to marry the pure, girlish May Welland. Everything is expected, he knows all the correct and ever so important rules of good taste that rule his little world. He believes himself to be perfectly happy. Then, his fiancee's unique cousin, the Countess Olenska, returns to New York after a sad ...more

I loved House of Mirth, but I thought Age of Innocence covered the same ground as House of Mirth without adding anything new. In fact, to me Age of Innocence seemed like an unofficial sequel to House of Mirth - more superficial, more melodramatic. Innocence almost felt like a toned down re-write of Mirth.
Wikipedia entry for Age of Innocence contains and interesting comment that Wharton wrote Age of Innocence as an 'apology' for House of Mirth which was considered to be too brutal. That was exact ...more
Wikipedia entry for Age of Innocence contains and interesting comment that Wharton wrote Age of Innocence as an 'apology' for House of Mirth which was considered to be too brutal. That was exact ...more

I adore this book. Edith Wharton uses the English language as an art. I have read this book so many times and I still feel all of the wonderful emotions that I did the first time that I picked it up. New emotions also pop up with each new read. I never want this book to end. The movie is also wonderful. It is so visually appealing.

Bloke sacrifices love of his life.
Demonstrates conformity as the cousin of death.
"They belonged to that vast group of human automata who go through life without neglecting to perform a single one of the gestures executed by the surrounding puppets."
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Demonstrates conformity as the cousin of death.
"They belonged to that vast group of human automata who go through life without neglecting to perform a single one of the gestures executed by the surrounding puppets."
...more

It's been five years since I read this, and it was worth taking a break. An absolute masterpiece.
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Jul 30, 2008
Cecilia
marked it as to-read


Dec 11, 2009
Fini
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
american-literature,
1900-1940

Jan 24, 2010
Alan
added it

Mar 02, 2011
Connie
marked it as to-read