carly_they_themsen's review against another edition
3.0
this was so lovely big ty to my dad who made me watch the movie with him and i fell asleep and felt bad so i decided to apologize by reading the book because wow i really like this book [:
tkb1917's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
ABSOLUTELY WRECKED ME
marilupignetta's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
annemariewhelehan's review against another edition
5.0
If you like the Gilded Age, you will love this. This month's classic read hosted by @solennsbooknook It perfectly tells the etiquette of the time. When I finished the book, I watched the movie and it added to the enjoyment of the story.
wshier's review against another edition
4.0
I decided to give Edith Wharton a second chance after a disappointing Ethan Frome. Redemption! This book manages to poke almost snarky fun at both the stifling aristocratic age of the book's setting AND (to a lesser extent)the coming "anything goes," "European" culture of the 20's (which, of course, was well underway when the book was written).
littlebumbum's review against another edition
3.75
If you love a loser main character this book is great
vdparedes's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-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? No
4.75
sophie_elizabeth's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
milesjmoran's review against another edition
5.0
He had her in his arms, her face like a wet flower at his lips, and all their vain terrors shrivelling up like ghosts at sunrise. The one thing that astonished him now was that he should have stood for five minutes arguing with her across the width of the room, when just touching her made everything so simple.
I fell in love with Edith Wharton after reading The House of Mirth back in 2017, and I've thoroughly enjoyed exploring her other works, especially her ghost stories, but I've been holding off on reading The Age of Innocence, wanting to save it, and while I love The House of Mirth more, this novel comes a very close second. What Wharton does brilliantly in this book is capturing the claustrophobia of this society - she overwhelms you with names, foods, paintings, street names, and rules until your head is swimming with them, making you feel as constrained as her characters. You really get a sense of what being in the midst of this society is like, and how dangerous it can be to stray even the slightest bit away from it. To be different or to make a mistake can result in being shunned and fervently discussed behind your back. The duplicitous, judgemental nature of this exclusive, tightly knit circle makes for uncomfortable reading as you hope that, somehow, Ellen will make it through unscathed. I love the way Edith Wharton discusses women in her work, the limitations set upon them and the blatant double-standards of society, and I think she explores that wonderfully through the character of Ellen. The ending of the book, without giving anything away, completely caught me off-guard and, while it left me heavy hearted, I think it's poignant and clever enough not to completely destroy me.
I fell in love with Edith Wharton after reading The House of Mirth back in 2017, and I've thoroughly enjoyed exploring her other works, especially her ghost stories, but I've been holding off on reading The Age of Innocence, wanting to save it, and while I love The House of Mirth more, this novel comes a very close second. What Wharton does brilliantly in this book is capturing the claustrophobia of this society - she overwhelms you with names, foods, paintings, street names, and rules until your head is swimming with them, making you feel as constrained as her characters. You really get a sense of what being in the midst of this society is like, and how dangerous it can be to stray even the slightest bit away from it. To be different or to make a mistake can result in being shunned and fervently discussed behind your back. The duplicitous, judgemental nature of this exclusive, tightly knit circle makes for uncomfortable reading as you hope that, somehow, Ellen will make it through unscathed. I love the way Edith Wharton discusses women in her work, the limitations set upon them and the blatant double-standards of society, and I think she explores that wonderfully through the character of Ellen. The ending of the book, without giving anything away, completely caught me off-guard and, while it left me heavy hearted, I think it's poignant and clever enough not to completely destroy me.