Reviews

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

eb00kie's review against another edition

This is like the sad American version of 'The Grand Sophy' and simply the American version of 'Enigma Otiliei'. I respect this book for the ironies, the delightful level of detail, but the hypocrisy and naivite of the characters are so clear (possibly because this book was a pioneer at its time, but many others stood on the shoulders of this giant) that it feels hamfisted, their ruined predetermined. Also, I looked on Wiki to double-check. 

Mutually assured distruction is fine, but I want people who stare at disaster with their eyes open. Watching a worthy protagonist struggle against destruction is completely different than this guy thinking about how he's going to make his wife smart and wity. It's a common human failure, but I want to see struggle, not inevitability.

persiaelina's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

letiziadinca's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

mayapapayaya's review against another edition

reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.25

cec_99's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

cocowise's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

eventyrlaeseren's review against another edition

I could not continue a heavy classic while also studying so many classics and long articles for school 
I hope to get back to this in the Winter break maybe

cmccollum's review against another edition

5.0

This was great! It's a funny thing to read historical fiction written in a time that we would now also set historical fiction. Edith Wharton's writing is as incisive as it is funny. I loved reading her send up of the stifling New York elite society that she was raised in.

smbeck22's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

stripe217's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0