Any book by Wharton is worth it. Her elegance and turn with a phrase are just joys to read, even poetical when read out loud. And who knew she could write something that was a COMEDY of manners, questioning and commenting about the manners and social conventions of a greatly sophisticated, artificial society? The only Wharton where I have ever laughed out loud. Definitely a story that has one “keeping up with the Joneses.“ 😉 ( )

29. The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
OPD: 1922
format: ~300-page Kindle public domain copy
acquired: March read: Apr 11-30 time reading: 9:25, 1.9 mpp
rating: 4½
genre/style: Classic fiction theme: Wharton
locations: Lake Como, Venice, Genoa, Paris, London
about the author: 1862-1937. Born Edith Newbold Jones on West 23rd Street, New York City. Relocated permanently to France after 1911.

After a number of novels where marriage is socially sacred, and divorce a tool used only by the most immorally selfish, Wharton experiments with divorce as a game. Nick and Susy, each living parasitically off the leisure class community, having been accepted, supported and used socially, get married with no financial prospects and an agreement that should an opportunity arise, they will support each other towards it. It's temporary marriage by plan, and Susy has managed to work out a year of living off gifts and charity, all with strings.

This is a silly setup that should not work. But it works delightfully. Wharton seems to have been enjoying herself and she makes it very easy for her readers to embrace that. Although, knowing Wharton, we can only brace for catastrophe. Our homeless Americans never leave Europe, their break predetermined, shatters. And what next? The selfish, frivolous, socially exquisite, dorky, intellectually curious wealthy are all presented in all their flaws and elegance, exposed and accepted.

Wharton-lite doesn't mean her writing skills are compromised. This is a fine work of literature and a fun, rewarding read, even if she fails to dunk us, as expected, in deepest discomfort.

2023
https://www.librarything.com/topic/348551#8136388 ( )

A love story with a sweet, if unreal ending. Susy and Nick, who found each other while living a parasitic life off their rich friends, begin living married life in friends' villas, palaces etc in Europe and for household expenses, living off their wedding checks. They figure they can last at least a year in this manner, but this matter of having to"beg" for a living causes unforetold problems to their little love-nest. ( )

It’s only a paper moon
Hanging over a cardboard sea,
But it wouldn’t be make believe
If you believed in me.
It’s a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn’t be make believe
If you believed in me.

**************************

Say you don’t need no diamond rings
And I’ll be satisfied,
Tell me that you want the kind of things
That money just can’t buy.
I don’t care too much for money, money can’t buy me love.

This is the story of Suzy and Nick Lansing, two newly-weds who hang with the rich and famous, but have no money of their own. Their attempts to live in this world of pseudo-friendship and obligation takes its toll on them and their marriage, and the line that separates morality from indebtedness wears them thin.

I spent much of this novel thinking of Scarlett and Rhett, when they are both thinking they would like to make it up to one another but neither is willing to make the first move. I anguished over the pride and misunderstanding that seems to push these characters apart at every turn, and the influences of the so-called friends who are too shallow or self-interested to consider what they might be doing to a marriage of love.

She felt as though she were on the point of losing some new-found treasure, a treasure precious only to herself, but beside which all he offered her was nothing, the triumph of her wounded pride nothing, the security of her future nothing.

And, what we see here, among the fakes and pretenders, is real love. The kind a smart person would perish for; a meeting of the souls and the minds.

It was odd-once upon a time she had known exactly what to say to the man of the moment, whoever he was, and whatever kind of talk he required...But since then she had spoken the language of real love, looked with its eyes, embraced with its hands; and now the other trumpery art had failed her, and she was conscious of bungling and groping like a beginner…

I adored this lesser known but brilliant story by one of my favorite authors, Edith Wharton. Wharton is always able to cut to the essence of what ails the monied society, but she also knows what it is to be on the fringe of it and to want desperately to be included. All that glitters is not gold, but when you are standing at a certain distance, it might seem to be.

This is a short book, more a novelette than a novel, so there is no excuse--Read It! ( )

Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton is set in the 1920s and follows the romantic misadventures of Susie and Nick Lansing. They have been socializing with the wealthy even though each is actually quite poor. Relying on their good looks and clever conversation, they accept the patronage and gifts that are directed their way. Although each had planned on snagging themselves a rich spouse, they fall in love and decide to wed. Susie comes up with a plan whereby they will enjoy their honeymoon year together, accepting help from their rich and generous friends, but at any time if one of them finds a rich partner, they will part and divorce with no consequences.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story-line reminded me of some of the screwball comedies that were made in Hollywood during the 1930s and I couldn’t help but picture Carole Lombard and Cary Grant in the roles of Susie and Nick. Although this could be looked at as a rather cliched love-or-money story, Edith Wharton elevates the book to another level with her beautiful writing and her clever satirical digs at the wealthy. Of course as in all screwball romances, there are misunderstandings, jealousy and troubled consciences that have our young couple losing their trust in one another, separating and perhaps exploring other options. Nick can be a little priggish at times and Susie is a definite schemer, but I grew attached to this couple and wanted to see them work it out.

Glimpses of the Moon shows the lighter side of Edith Wharton, this romantic romp through the world of 1920s privilege, is a book that is not meant to be taken seriously, it is sheer entertainment. It’s romantic settings such as Lake Como, Venice and Paris only add to it’s captivating magic. This book surprised, amused and entertained me. ( )