The Age of Innocence (Barnes & Noble Classics Series)

by Edith Wharton

Maureen Howard

&&LDIV&&R&&LDIV&&R&&LI&&RAge of Innocence&&L/I&&R, by &&LB&&REdith Wharton&&L/B&&R, is part of the &&LI&&RBarnes & Noble Classics&&L/I&&R&&LI&&R &&L/I&&Rseries, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of &&LI&&RBarnes & Noble Classics&&L/I&&R: &&LDIV&&R

• New introductions commissioned from today's top writers and scholars
• Biographies of the authors
• Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events
• Footnotes and endnotes
• Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work
• Comments by other famous authors
• Study questions to challenge the reader's viewpoints and expectations
• Bibliographies for further reading
• Indices & Glossaries, when appropriate

All editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. &&LI&&RBarnes & Noble Classics &&L/I&&Rpulls together a constellation of influences—biographical, historical, and literary—to enrich each reader's understanding of these enduring works.&&L/DIV&&R&&L/DIV&&R&&LP style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"&&R &&L/P&&R&&LP style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"&&RWinner of the 1921 Pulitzer Prize, &&LI&&RThe Age of Innocence&&L/I&&R is &&LB&&REdith Wharton&&L/B&&R's masterful portrait of desire and betrayal during the sumptuous Golden Age of Old New York, a time when society people "dreaded scandal more than disease."&&LBR&&R&&LBR&&RThis is Newland Archer's world as he prepares to marry the beautiful but conventional May Welland. But when the mysterious Countess Ellen Olenska returns to New York after a disastrous marriage, Archer falls deeply in love with her. Torn between duty and passion, Archer struggles to make a decision that will either courageously define his life—or mercilessly destroy it.&&LBR&&R&&L/P&&R&&LP style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"&&R&&LSTRONG&&RMaureen Howard&&L/B&&R&&L/B&&R is a critic, teacher, and writer of fiction. Her seven novels include &&LI&&RBridgeport Bus&&L/I&&R, &&LI&&RNatural History&&L/I&&R, and &&LI&&RA Lover's Almanac&&L/I&&R. Her memoir, &&LI&&RFacts of Life&&L/I&&R, won the National Book Critics' Circle Award. She has taught at Yale and Columbia University.&&L/P&&R&&L/DIV&&R

• ISBN13: 9781593080747
• Publish Date: 16 January 2004
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Out of Print: 10 October 2023
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Barnes & Noble Inc
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

[Whitney @ First Impressions Reviews]

In the first half of Edith Wharton's The Age Of Innocence we are introduced to Newland Archer, a lawyer in upper-class New York. Archer seems to have it all, a prestigious job a "perfect" fiance May Welland, he seems to live the ideal New York lifestyle. Then May's cousin Ellen Olenska comes to the city after a scandalous separation from her husband, Count Olenski and has come to New York to start anew. Archer, does everything to protect Madam Olenska, by announcing his wedding engagement early to detract attention away from his cousin-to-be and persuades her not to file for divorce in order to avoid further scandal. Due to this closeness his heart begins to drift in a different direction.

The Age of Innocence is far from Hannah Montana's "Best of Both Worlds" You cannot have your cake and eat it too. May comes with the in-crowd and a picket fence, Ellen's past carries too much baggage to ever be accepted in society her kind-hearted character being overlooked. Convention or Passion? The forbidden apple so to speak. Personally, I like to think Archer is just getting cold feet and wants to elope in hopes of putting a stop to temptation. Although at the end of part one, a strong connection is made between the unlikely couple and the reader to believe that there could be a deep affection there and is not just one sided on Newland's part.

In the second book, Ellen and Newland struggle with their feelings for one another. Ellen is all too aware that what they are doing is wrong and tries to keep her distance, reminding Newland that he was the one who convinced her not to file for divorce. Archer on the other hand, try as he might cannot keep his thoughts away from Madame Olenska and seeks her out with an excuse to his lovely wife May at the first opportunity. I really wanted to slap Newland on the head, not that Ellen was a horrible person by any means but Archer did have a good thing going with his wife May and I think it's just morally wrong.

The ending, is by far my favorite, May finally grows a backbone and outsmarts the love couple, almost stooping down to her husband's level of conniving, putting the whole thing in perspective. I've always felt the conclusion is more like an epilogue and I think has a love it or hate it air to it. I personally enjoy it as even though Archer is faced with a golden opportunity regarding Ellen, he chooses to take the high road and shows a sweet candor that the reader had not yet seen. The Age of Innocence was a darling of a book to read, Edith Wharton is such an eloquent author, the climb to the climax is a journey all it's own and is most rewarding.