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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
toffishay's review against another edition
funny
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
4.25
Undine is a terrible person...and I just kept turning the page to see what nonsense she'd get into and out of next! As always with Edith Wharton the writing is great. Some of Undine's motivations are stated explicitly when they could have been left at subtext. But I don't see that as a weakness and, if anything, it mirrors Undine's loud character. She's unabashed in what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it. It was a really funny book too and the satire is spot on. There were a few occasions where I chuckled out loud!
What makes this so good is that Undine is simple in her desires, but not made totally one-dimensional. You understand what lies beneath and we see the motivation of her actions even when Undine doesn't let herself feel them. And there are some very sad moments that I won't spoil here, but that add weight to Undine's decisions. This is her life that she's treating like a game and other people are left holding the cards.
What makes this so good is that Undine is simple in her desires, but not made totally one-dimensional. You understand what lies beneath and we see the motivation of her actions even when Undine doesn't let herself feel them. And there are some very sad moments that I won't spoil here, but that add weight to Undine's decisions. This is her life that she's treating like a game and other people are left holding the cards.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Suicide and Death of parent
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
kteq's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Suicide, and Abandonment
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