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edwardian_girl_next_door's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
One of THE most devastating books I have read in a long time. Set in the 1910s, The Custom of the Country follows the rise of the vain, materialistic, unscrupulous, and ambitious Undine Spragg through New York society. We follow the wide swath of destruction cut by Undine on her mission for glory. The character development of the primary and secondary characters was fantastic; even the background characters were fully worked out and gave an air of cohesiveness to the story. You get the impression that Wharton enjoyed putting witty stereotypes of New York elite into such a book! As another reviewer said, they hated this book in the best way possible, and I can't help but agree. Absolutely brutal and exquisitely tragic; would read again.
Not included in content warning options but worth noting: divorce, child custody battle, child neglect
Not included in content warning options but worth noting: divorce, child custody battle, child neglect
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Classism
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, Medical content, and Gaslighting
atamano's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Suicide, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Pregnancy and Alcohol
tashtasher's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Alcohol
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