With our hectic lives and all of the new books that we are trying to keep on top of, we can often forget about the classics, those books that we loved to re-visit or the books that we just haven’t got to quite yet. Every week, we pick a classic book of the week that is a favourite of ours in the office. This week will be the wonderful The Age Of Innocence.
“We can’t behave like people in novels, though, can we?”
A history of the Age of Innocence.
The Age of Innocence was Edith Wharton’s 12th novel but had been initially serialized in four parts in the Pictorial Review magazine in 1920. Wharton picked up the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and was the first woman to do so for the brilliant book. The book was noted for its attention to detail, particularly with its attention to upper class life in New York, which Wharton had lived through. The book has since been turned into a film by Martin Scorsese which stars the brilliant Daniel Day Lewis and Michelle Pfieffer.
What is it about?
The book revolves around Newland Archer, a gentleman from high society in New York who is betrothed to May Welland. All is going according to plan until May’s cousin, the Countess Olenska arrives in New York. The Countess has left her husband, something which is considered a massive scandal in the city at the time by the upper classes but nevertheless, Newland falls madly in love with her. However, in order to be with her, he must give up his entire life in New York and elope with her. The novel gives us an insight into his troubles and the working of his mind.
Why read it?
The Age of Innocence is most definitely worth reading, a modern classic and the perfect depiction of the old world meeting the new. Countess Olenska brings with her revolutionary thought and independence, Newland is torn betweeen the two while poor May is still firmly of the old world. However, what will really keep you turning the pages is the evident love between Ellen and Newland, his jealousy, his inability to let go of the life he leads and the constant need for him to be with Ellen. This is simply a wonderful read, but we warn you, this is also heartbreaking.
