Reader discussion: The Age of Innocence

Public reader discussion about The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton.

Edith Wharton - Thoughts? Favorite or least favorite works?

By HareCoastal

Lately I’ve been on a Wharton kick and I’m really curious what everyone thinks—also looking for more recs. I’m totally open to other authors too, as long as they hit similar themes. So far I’ve read: - **The Age of Innocence**: honestly just okay. The whole adultery angle (even thinking about it) doesn’t really hook me. - **The House of Mirth**: I really liked this one. Lily Bart’s whole debt spiral and anxiety felt way too relatable, so it’s probably my favorite ❤️ - **The Glimpses of the Moon**: I’m still reading it. It’s easy to get through and there are some really nice lines, but it’s also kind of predictable. Her stuff feels like it would’ve totally been my vibe back in high school, and I didn’t have a lot of women writers in my classes (though that’s way better now!).

The Age of Innocence vs. The House of Mirth

By spring-copper1982

I just wrapped up The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton, and I read House of Mirth last year, so I’ve been side-by-side comparing them. I did enjoy Age of Innocence, but House of Mirth really grabbed me. With Age of Innocence it feels like you’re mostly living inside Newland’s head, like you get most of the story through his thoughts and what’s going on with him. House of Mirth feels like you get a lot more into Lily though—both her inner thoughts and how she comes across when she’s with other people. They both sort of deal with the same conflict: people trying to do what’s best for their social/financial situation versus what would actually make them happy. Neither of them really wants to go off-script, but the fallout looks way different. Newland ends up with something stable and secure, while Lily’s life falls apart pretty hard. They both made some really rough choices, but I found myself feeling more for Lily. I’m not totally sure why yet—maybe because I felt like I understood her better, or maybe just because her situation was so much worse. Newland came off to me as kind of the more reckless one, even though he wanted both a wife and a lover and didn’t want to deal with any consequences socially. Anyway, I’ll probably be thinking about both for a while, but House of Mirth is the one that won me over. Anyone else have a clear favorite between the two?

Everyone seems to love The Age of Innocence except me...

By GlimmerBrocaded

I don’t know why everyone raves about this book, because I really struggled with it. I couldn’t get behind Archer and Ellen’s relationship at all, it just felt wrong to me, and I’ve been on May’s side from the start. And honestly, Archer himself didn’t do any favors—he was pretty unlikable to me too. There were moments where it even felt boring, and I seriously thought about putting it down. I only stuck with it because the last part finally got better, and I felt relieved when May did something and ended up being right. I just couldn’t stand how Archer talked about her, like she was just this pretty thing on the outside but empty on the inside. I’m genuinely curious what everyone else sees in it, because I just don’t get it 😔

40/52 - The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

By copperBrush

I’m kind of thinking about bumping my goal up. If I set it at 52, I’ll be way ahead, but if I go all the way to 104 I feel like I’m behind. Not sure—maybe I’ll just land somewhere in the middle and pick 78.

The Age of Innocence - Chapter 19

By Superuser

I kind of read this chapter like a normal story and not really as prompt time… oops. Then suddenly it’s a time jump and we’re at a wedding, and Newland feels like he’s grown up a bit, like he’s put away the whole showing-off-gifts / society gossip vibe. Also, did anyone else react to the whole idea of Mrs. Mingott attending? I’m not judging her body or anything, I just find it funny that the photographers would actually be able to see the bride if they helped her with the wheelchair. I’m sure it “works out” somehow, but it’s still a little absurd. Were you expecting Ellen to show up at the wedding? And honestly, a week at a country house right after getting married sounds amazing, assuming you can actually be left alone (wait—scratch that, they’ve been redirected!). Are you all tense, like, waiting for something bad to happen? Any other thoughts? Did you get anything good yesterday, wrapped up all nice? Hope everyone’s doing well and stuffed after Boxing Day, no matter how you ended up spending it.