From the Bookshelf of Edith Wharton

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Wealhtheow
Jun 27, 2007 rated it it was amazing  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: historical
I loved this book, but when I finished it I threw it from me as violently as I could.
Corinne Blackmer
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 ...more
Jessica
Jun 19, 2008 rated it it was amazing
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
Primero Fin
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
Jessica
Aug 05, 2008 rated it it was amazing
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.
Rebecca
Jun 17, 2007 rated it it was amazing  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: classics
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."

...more
Laura
It's been five years since I read this, and it was worth taking a break. An absolute masterpiece. ...more
Wealhtheow
Jun 27, 2007 rated it it was amazing  ·  review of another edition
Shelves: historical
Michaela Wood
Dec 04, 2007 rated it it was amazing
Alicia
Jan 12, 2008 rated it really liked it
Jessica
Jan 23, 2008 rated it it was amazing
Leas
Jun 26, 2008 rated it really liked it
Cecilia
Jul 30, 2008 marked it as to-read
Christine
Oct 07, 2008 rated it it was amazing
Emily
Oct 07, 2008 rated it it was amazing  ·  review of another edition
Fini
Dec 12, 2008 rated it really liked it  ·  review of another edition
Cynthia
Apr 11, 2009 rated it it was amazing
Christine
May 08, 2009 rated it it was amazing
Jenna
Nov 09, 2009 rated it really liked it  ·  review of another edition
Lajka  Oreo
Jan 26, 2010 rated it really liked it
Amy
Mar 12, 2010 rated it it was amazing
Connie
Mar 02, 2011 marked it as to-read
Lizzi Williams
Sep 01, 2011 rated it it was amazing
Corinne Blackmer
Oct 11, 2011 rated it it was amazing
Jennifer
Aug 07, 2012 rated it liked it
Primero Fin
Nov 24, 2012 rated it liked it
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