The Age of Innocence (Everyman's Library (Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.)) (original 1920; edition 2008)

A very good novel, with exquisite detail of the characters and the society they live in.

I only wish (on a personal level) the story didn't revolve around the exact same love triangle as is found in every other novel about some man or woman who realises a moment too late that they're marrying the wrong person; anachronistically conservative as I am, I've never been able to sympathise with people angsting over whether or not to be unfaithful, and the plot is always so drearily predictable. I always end up sympathising with the May of the story, and wishing we could see her through more than implication. ( )

If you feel like picking up a classic, this is a great one. Set at the beginning of the 19th century, the book paints a vivid portrait of life in high society New York - the strict rules of how to behave, who to mingle with, and even who to marry. The hero, Nuland Archer, is all set to marry beautiful May Welland when he meets her cousin, Ellen Olenska who has scandalized New York society by leaving her disastrous marriage to a European count. What a great tragic love story! I had two different audio versions of this book, one narrated by Dick Hill and the other narrated by Alyssa Bresnahan. Although I loved Dick Hill's narration of Huckleberry Finn, after listening to the first cd, I switched over to Alyssa Bresnahan's version. Her portrayal of the high society New York women was perfect!
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I remember being taught that classic literature is in part a successful depiction of a universal truth or feeling that people from all times and walks of life can relate to. I'm not a big fan of fiction, but to read a book written almost ninety years ago and find yourself and your situation described nearly perfectly is a pretty amazing experience. Add to that the writing of style of Wharton, which is elegant without being dull and moving without being florid, and this was a wonderful book. ( )

I finally got around to reading this classic and wished I had done it sooner as it is a marvelous book! (Probably why it won a Pullitzer). Newell Archer is born into one of NYC's recognized upper crust families, and is in love with May Wellland who is an appropriate match in terms of family, beauty, disposition, athletism and manners. Her meets her coousin Countess Olenska, and sees an alternative to the predictable closed society he is part of - however he does not act on this and helps her understand the repercussions of divorce and being bohemian at the turn of the century. Quickly he becomes dissatisfied with his own life, and craves to be with her. Countess Olenska prevents this and a type of "Human Bondage" love unfolds. The Newell Archers stay together and have children and advance in the NYC evolutionary society - as we learn in the end, and Archer chooses to leave his attration to Ellen Olenska as a fantasy. ( )

My grand daughter read this book in her high school class last year. I realized that I had never read it. As I read it and thoroughly enjoyed it, I wondered at girls of today trying to understand the constraints of society way back when. ( )