ricefun's review against another edition
5.0
It is evident that this is a later Wharton novel. The muted tones, European ex-patriot setting, and underlying desperation all harken strongly to her other better-known works like “The Age of Innocence,” and especially “The House of Mirth.” With a mother/daughter story that is both engaging and distressing, alongside developing romances that should cause deep questions, Wharton does not shy away from exposing an underbelly to the gilded life experienced by her “set” in New York.
I was most intrigued with Wharton’s literary device of spelling out Kate Clephane’s entire name throughout the book. By the second chapter we are familiar enough with Kate that it would be reasonable to use her given name for the rest of the story. However, for the remainder of this novel, Wharton continues to emphasize Kate’s married name - possibly a reminder of her status as a woman owned by her husband and his family - no matter how far Kate tries to remove herself from that family situation. Equally striking is that we do not hear the last name of Kate’s love interest until far into the novel, making it feel that his quality exists in a completely different vein than Kate’s as a woman of society. He, instead, for much of the book only exists in relation to her. Then, when he takes on a character of his own, his name and rank in the military are revealed. I appreciated tracing this use of names throughout this story.
I was most intrigued with Wharton’s literary device of spelling out Kate Clephane’s entire name throughout the book. By the second chapter we are familiar enough with Kate that it would be reasonable to use her given name for the rest of the story. However, for the remainder of this novel, Wharton continues to emphasize Kate’s married name - possibly a reminder of her status as a woman owned by her husband and his family - no matter how far Kate tries to remove herself from that family situation. Equally striking is that we do not hear the last name of Kate’s love interest until far into the novel, making it feel that his quality exists in a completely different vein than Kate’s as a woman of society. He, instead, for much of the book only exists in relation to her. Then, when he takes on a character of his own, his name and rank in the military are revealed. I appreciated tracing this use of names throughout this story.
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
Kate gets a chance to redeem herself with the adult daughter she left behind as a child until a former lover appears on the scene and is found to be romancing that same daughter. Will Kate be able to stand by and watch her daughter marry her one great love? Or will she tell all? It feels soapy, but there is an ethical conundrum that does not have an easy answer.
themoonphoenix's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tmickey's review against another edition
The subject matter just was not something I cared about. It also was very slow for such a short book, within those 87 pages I could already see several things that could have been cut out. Usually I don’t mind slow books, but the stick that broke the camel’s back was the fact that I was completely apathetic towards the characters. They just prompted 0 emotions from me (positive or negative). Ultimately a slump was sneaking in with this one, so I decided to call it quits for now. May return in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
lberestecki's review against another edition
4.0
Plot: It was pretty easy to figure out where things were headed in this book, but that didn't detract from the story. It's interesting to read about how once small incident can so greatly affect the lives of many.
Characters: None of the characters were particularly likable, but Wharton excels at writing characters that are fully fleshed out and seem very real. They don't need to be likable because you feel like you're reading about real people.
Overall: Some of Wharton's less famous works are really great, and this is one of those. I would definitely recommend it to fans of her writing. I always appreciate that her books are high quality, but are very readable and accessible.
Characters: None of the characters were particularly likable, but Wharton excels at writing characters that are fully fleshed out and seem very real. They don't need to be likable because you feel like you're reading about real people.
Overall: Some of Wharton's less famous works are really great, and this is one of those. I would definitely recommend it to fans of her writing. I always appreciate that her books are high quality, but are very readable and accessible.
andra15's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
kavarnistka's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sweetsequels's review against another edition
5.0
Coming from someone whose guilty pleasure is watching soap operas or The Bachelorette...this book is a must read. Possibly the most scandalous book written in the early 1900s that I've ever read!
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Kate Clephane is living the life of an exiled socialite on the French Riviera when we meet her. But then a telegram comes that will alter the course of her life - the daughter she abandoned at infancy, now in her early 20s, has called her back to New York, and they have a second chance at the relationship they've both desperately missed. But soon enough a secret threatens to destroy their blossoming affection for each other - the only man who Kate has ever loved (and who broke her heart) is back in New York...and is engaged to none other than her daughter. The story that unfolds is gripping and heartbreaking, in typical Edith fashion.
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If you're not convinced about Edith Wharton yet, perhaps you should pick this one up.This is definitely one of her lesser known works, and I don't know why. It is excellent - equal to or better even, in my opinion, than Age of Innocence.
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Kate Clephane is living the life of an exiled socialite on the French Riviera when we meet her. But then a telegram comes that will alter the course of her life - the daughter she abandoned at infancy, now in her early 20s, has called her back to New York, and they have a second chance at the relationship they've both desperately missed. But soon enough a secret threatens to destroy their blossoming affection for each other - the only man who Kate has ever loved (and who broke her heart) is back in New York...and is engaged to none other than her daughter. The story that unfolds is gripping and heartbreaking, in typical Edith fashion.
.
.
If you're not convinced about Edith Wharton yet, perhaps you should pick this one up.This is definitely one of her lesser known works, and I don't know why. It is excellent - equal to or better even, in my opinion, than Age of Innocence.
wistyallgood's review against another edition
4.0
EDITH! EDITH! EDITH!
When picturing the details of my future, it most definitely includes a bookshelf with the full oeuvre of Edith Wharton. She never ceases to impress me, even with her non-stop unhappily ever afters.
This was juicy, well-written, gave yet another brilliant glimpse to a time, place, and society of a bygone era.
Poor, poor Kate. 130 pages in, she found out what we knew all along just by reading the back of the book. Her inner ramblings and fears and confusions spoke to me, big time. You couldn't help but feel for her.
I want more!
When picturing the details of my future, it most definitely includes a bookshelf with the full oeuvre of Edith Wharton. She never ceases to impress me, even with her non-stop unhappily ever afters.
This was juicy, well-written, gave yet another brilliant glimpse to a time, place, and society of a bygone era.
Poor, poor Kate. 130 pages in, she found out what we knew all along just by reading the back of the book. Her inner ramblings and fears and confusions spoke to me, big time. You couldn't help but feel for her.
I want more!