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This feels like a re-writing of one of the Henry James novels, a sequel to Portrait of a Lady or an American version of The Golden Bowl, with a 20th Century sensibility. While James seemed to appreciate the values of 19th Century society, Wharton hauls off and gives it a hard poke in the eye.
Although the central idea seems to be the tragedy of star-crossed lovers, most of the fun comes from having Wharton take her best shot at the narrow mindedness of her parents' generation and stuff shirts ev ...more
Although the central idea seems to be the tragedy of star-crossed lovers, most of the fun comes from having Wharton take her best shot at the narrow mindedness of her parents' generation and stuff shirts ev ...more
Favorite quotes:
"..and on this occasion the moment he looked forward to was so are and exquisite in quality that - well, if he had timed his arrival in accord with the prima donna's stage-manager he could not have entered the Academy at a more significant moment than just as she was singing "He loves me - he loves me not - he loves me!" and sprinkling the falling daisy petals with notes as clear as dew." (24) ...more
"..and on this occasion the moment he looked forward to was so are and exquisite in quality that - well, if he had timed his arrival in accord with the prima donna's stage-manager he could not have entered the Academy at a more significant moment than just as she was singing "He loves me - he loves me not - he loves me!" and sprinkling the falling daisy petals with notes as clear as dew." (24) ...more
I love this book for its tension between restraint and rebellion.
The movie version stars Michelle Pfieffer.
I'm a nerd and I have actually visited Edith Wharton's estate in Lee, MA. It's pretty. If you happen to be out there, you should swing by. ...more
The movie version stars Michelle Pfieffer.
I'm a nerd and I have actually visited Edith Wharton's estate in Lee, MA. It's pretty. If you happen to be out there, you should swing by. ...more
Jun 20, 2010
Arctic
marked it as to-read
Dec 26, 2010
Leanne Brown
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Apr 23, 2011
Andrea
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Sep 19, 2011
Sara
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May 05, 2012
Rhingst
marked it as to-read
