The Age of Innocence, Edith Wharton (4.0)
Many people believe money brings happiness. Edith Wharton clearly proves that, at least with regards to the late 1800’s New York’s socialite families, old money and it’s societal rules can become a type of prison. This is articulated through the main character, Newland Archer, a young man from one of the main, ‘good’, NYC families. He knows the rules of society and generally appreciates them. That is until he meets his fiancée’s cousin and starts to appreciate her differences and the freedom from the rules that she eschews. As typical of novels of this time period, not a lot happens, plot-wise. The beauty is in the writing and the nuances. We watch Newland struggle with seeing the life he always felt he would lead versus one of passion while his family and their peers slowly bring the prison walls down. Although not exactly uplifting and optimistic, if read slowly, the words alone will be worth it.
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