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carie's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hmmclean's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
glabeson's review against another edition
challenging
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a fantastic novel. I tried Wharton years ago and either did not appreciate her or read the wrong thing (Ethan Frome). My experience was enriched by the commentary/analysis offered by the Novel Pairings Patreon episodes breaking down each book. It is impressive/sad how the themes about the U.S. still hold true now.
franklyfrank's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
upnorth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mfkelly323's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jsalowe's review against another edition
5.0
GR just ate my review, which irks me greatly. En bref, though, I'd just finished saying that I thought this to be better written perhaps than either Mirth or Innocence, though I realize that is quite a claim. Certainly it is more ill-tempered than either—crueller than Flaubert, in terms of least number of likeable characters (exactly none). Undine may in fact be one of the first literary sociopaths. Savage, petty, bitter, brutal, laugh-out-loud-and-then-moan funny—I almost began rereading it as soon as I'd finished. Definitely goes in my top 25 novels. I want to send all y'all my copy, except I can't bear to part with it.
marmoo's review against another edition
4.0
It’s a mark of this story’s timelessness how non-stop stressed out I was by Undine Spragg’s spending and scheming. The novel was every bit as savvy, ruthless, and exciting as its monster of a heroine.