The Age of Innocence (Abridged) Audiobook

" Akin to the movie Metropolitan, but without the charm or engaging dialogue; I found it difficult to care about anyone or identify with their 'problems' or social setting. That being said, the last 40 pages and the prose prompted me to upgrade to three stars. "

" Wonderful ending. Very unexpected, yet... perfect. "

" Just as heartwrenchingly beautiful as I remember it being. I'm probably biased here, since I am a huge fan of Wharton. I can see how the plot might drag for people who aren't such enthusiastic fans, but I was just sucked in by her masterful command of the English language. I don't think you read Wharton solely for plot, in other words. "

" A Pulitzer Prize novel about class restraint and unrequited love. Wonderful insights into the 1920's era and a beautiful ending--unlike any ending I've read in a very long time. 5 stars! "

" Henry James Jr.s' friend, and author up to her eyebrows in family psychological problems, this author spins a good tale. I wish I'd been told when younger that there is no fiction, just personal narrative for which the people involved are not identified. The descriptions of places and people's emotions which you find in this book are skilled. There are a lot of memorable quotes, like, "The worst of doing one's duty was that it apparently unfitted one for doing anything else." If you have the time and inclination, you won't be wasting the time reading this book. "

" I labored through this. The writing though elegant and a few lines were breathtaking, it lacked in character development. I felt no sympathy or pathos for Newland Archer, he was a flat character, his outpouring of emotion was either non-existant or melodramatic. Sometimes, reading the dialogue, I felt as if it was taken from a silly melodrama. Flat and dull, Madam Olenski could have been exciting, but flat and dull was a constant. Perhaps for the era, the scandal would be intriguing, but for my point of view, I kept waiting for something to happen. Even the ending was anti-climatic. Dull, a good book to make you sleep at night. "

" Slow read, but I loved the character developement. "

" An interesting period piece, with a good exploration of human nature versus cultural norms. And the old New York from a neighborhood perspective was particularly fun as a resident. "

" I'm sure I studied this novel at university many years ago, but I'm also sure I was too callow to fully appreciate the subtle wit and gentle satire of this American classic. I laughed out loud a couple of times and particularly enjoyed the author's descriptions of opera-going New Yorkers. "

" A beautifully written book with the added interest of learning just how far New York society had come in a relatively short time. It also contains one of my favourite lines from a novel - "He had to deal all at once with the packed regrets and stifled memories of an inarticulate lifetime." Genius. "

" Interesting, although it is the age old story of how society pressures you into marrying a woman you don't really love and what not. The ending was different and realistic which I enjoyed immensely. Also, the language is beautiful. "

" The second Pulitzer Prize winning novel that hubby and I have read - we are tring to read them all - and this was a gem! Her vocabulary is amazing - I was glad to be reading this on a Kindle - easy access to the dictionary was important! Great read -very interesting story. Really enjoyed this one. "

" It's so fun to read books that have been written about past society and find them so relevant for today. I loved this. Style over substance does not a happy man make. "

" I love Edith Wharton. she has a masterful way of helping you feel whay her characters do. reminds me a little of Kate Chopin. I love an Edith Wharton that I can't think of the name of (short story)... it like this one gives me a chill. excellent character development, plot development is perfect. "

" Beautifully written. Life was so very different, not so very long ago... "

" Torn. I think Wharton's writing is amazing, obviously. But I spent much of the book reading Archer's musings and wondering why it was, exactly, Ellen loved him. His motivations were clear, hers were less so. The writing was great, but aspects of the story didn't work for me. "

" It's rare to read satire of a society gone by and still find it funny and biting. This is Wharton's gift. The story itself fell a little flat, though. "

" I know this book was meant to be satirical, but Newland Archer is such a dick and made it difficult for me to get through this book. "

" Interesting look at 19th century New York social structure, but extremely dramatic. I'm not sure what the author intended to say though. "

" Wound up feeling so sorry for Newland :-( "

" The book was 300 pages of no action, but plenty of story to keep the book group talking for 60 mins! "

" Too much a book of it's time. I predict this one will eventually fall into complete obscurity, and rightly so. "

" on the list of favourtites "

" In my wildest dreams, I'm half as witty as the dialogue in this book. "

" Great story and great insight into the customs and values in NYC society in the 19th century. Loved how the difference between the parents and children were almost palpable with the dawning of the 20th century! "

" I did not care for the main character much, but overall the book was good. "

" My strongest thought while reading this book was 'why the hell have I not read this book before.' Has jumped rapidly to my favourite books ever list. "

" Normally, I think I would like this book. The writing was excellent, but it was sooooo repetitive! So, New York in the 1870s had strict social rules for the upper class that could feel oppressive - I get it already! I read 1/3 of the book and then gave up. "

" Great story, all the characters have their particular charms. Not as good as Brideshead Revisited, which could be deemed to be in a similar vein, but well worth a read. "

" Possibly my favorite book to read this last quarter, insane detail. Newland's a bit of a pansy. "

" Kako je bilo lijepo kad se nekad djevojka crvenjela za svaki pogled ili dodir i kad se voljelo iskreno, sramezljivim pogledima i laskajucim rijecima. <3 Knjiga nije losa,i totalno je laka za citati ali sam ja zapala u neku fazu da mi je sve dosadno :p "

" I have read this book before and enjoyed it very much "

" I have read this book before and enjoyed it very much "

" Equal parts love and pain. Exquisite. The best of the best. "

" Just one of my all time favorite books. The social pressures and the outcomes that result are timeless. "

" Equal parts love and pain. Exquisite. The best of the best. "

" Just one of my all time favorite books. The social pressures and the outcomes that result are timeless. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" Well-written story, but not my favorite story line. I don't usually enjoy stories all about social status and married people who long to be with someone who is not their spouse (well, with the one exception of Gone with the Wind!). "

" I didn't care for the twisted love story. "

" Well-written story, but not my favorite story line. I don't usually enjoy stories all about social status and married people who long to be with someone who is not their spouse (well, with the one exception of Gone with the Wind!). "

" I didn't care for the twisted love story. "

" This book is an old favorite. I reread it every so often, and never get bored of it. I love Edith Wharton's subtle, skillful way of telling a story, and pulling the reader into its world. I love that I am still in suspense, even knowing exactly how it will end. "

" This book is an old favorite. I reread it every so often, and never get bored of it. I love Edith Wharton's subtle, skillful way of telling a story, and pulling the reader into its world. I love that I am still in suspense, even knowing exactly how it will end. "

" Great look at NY society and manners at the start of the 20th century. The relationship between Newland Archer and Countess Ellen Olenska is a bit frustrating. All propriety is maintained in the end! "

" Great look at NY society and manners at the start of the 20th century. The relationship between Newland Archer and Countess Ellen Olenska is a bit frustrating. All propriety is maintained in the end! "

" This made a great discussion for bookclub. I admit that the first half was slow reading for me, but the second half picked up and I was anxious to see how events played out. "

" This made a great discussion for bookclub. I admit that the first half was slow reading for me, but the second half picked up and I was anxious to see how events played out. "

" One of my absolutely favorite books. Just perfect. "

" One of my absolutely favorite books. Just perfect. "

" I'm glad I took the time to read The Age of Innocence. I did not expect the ending (which is good!). If you're going to pick up a Wharton novel, I'd start with Ethan Frome or The Bunner Sisters before reading The Age of Innocence. "

" I'm glad I took the time to read The Age of Innocence. I did not expect the ending (which is good!). If you're going to pick up a Wharton novel, I'd start with Ethan Frome or The Bunner Sisters before reading The Age of Innocence. "