The Custom of the Country Audiobook

" Edith Wharton excels at writing a compelling book about a hugely unlikeable character who is determined not to experience any inner change or personal growth. Wharton picks away at the grasping consumerism of her peers with such precision that it was a relief to realize people were irredeemably selfish in the early twentieth century, and this isn't a new phenomenon. Her thesis that the "custom of the country," where men don't allow women into their business/inner lives, thus preventing happiness for either sex, certainly sparked a lot of thought and one-sided conversations where I recounted the plot for anyone who would listen. I don't know who I would recommend this book to, since Undine Spragg is a pretty hateful (albeit sympathetic?) person. But for those who can handle Wharton's pitch-black take on life, dig in! "

" This book was an interesting read. As a classic, it offers a different view of the world. It is the story of Undine Spragg, a upper middle class girl who will stop at nothing to climb the social ladder. Her escapades in the social world of eighteenth century New York attack the institution of marriage. Undine uses marriage and divorce as a tool for her success. The character of Undine is so absolutely nauseating, I loved to hate her. Reading it was so interesting because the characterization was so amazing. "

" I loved this book, even though the main character is a total witch. But watching her manipulate her way to the top is fascinating. Kind of like the movie "All About Eve." I wrote my undergrad thesis on this and another Edith Wharton novel and I analyzed how Edith Wharton felt about/portrayed marriage. Needless to say, in this novel, Wharton is a complete skeptic about marriage. "

" Just another great book. Read it!!! Although I can't say I like Undine, you won't forget her. I know many call this Wharton's best, but I rank this below House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence. "

" The main character is horrifying but I couldn't put it down, couldn't stop wondering what would happen next! "

" I have to reread this book every once in a while, and today was the day. "

" I don't think I've ever read something that focuses on someone so completely selfish and egocentric. Talk about a 'social climber'! It seems that occasionally she gets a glimpse of reality and sees past her own nose but still, she never seems to grow up. To me, a very sad life in spite of the luxury that Endine surrounds herself with. "

" I kept wanting to give up on this book but saw it through to the end. It's a bit agonizing to read--the main character, Undine, is like a caricature of a shallow, narcissistic woman, and keeps making decisions that affect other people's lives. Glad to be finished! "

" I took awhile to think about this book. Wharton was interested in the changes taking place in family systems during her lifetime. She identifies traditional marriage as a European custom, which places the family at the center of decision making, and people thinking about how decisions about who to marry and how to live in the way they will effect the family over many years. The American pattern however is to view marriage in the context of personal pleasure and immediate fulfillment. She nailed it, before the first world war. "

" A good book, but not one of her best New York novels. "

" I gotta hand it to Edith Wharton. She knows how to create a protagonist I'd love to hate. "

" Good, but quite a bit angrier than her other New York novels, probably because it was earlier. The protagonist has no redeeming qualities. EW definitely developed more complex characters as her writing evolved. "

" Started out slow but turned out to be great. The heroine is impossible to like but you have to see what she will do next. "

" Meet literary sociopath Undine Spragg. Unforgettable. "

" A tale of a social climber reminiscent of Scarlett O'hara. Even though a 100 years have passed, the social structure described by Wharton were still frightenly relevant. "

" i mean, it's no Ethan Frome. Social commentary about those social climbing bitches of her time. A lot more dramatic and entertaining than I expected. Worth a read, but be willing to deal with some loathsome but lovable characters. "

" Great idea having the chronology in the beginning. The humor escapes me but compare to 21st century "celebrities" and "social climbers" "

" I didn't like the heroin, Ondine. As my creative writing prof told me, in this case there must be something else going. Here it is barely the description of the times, although I prefer James for this. Still, most interesting. "

" A tale of a social climber reminiscent of Scarlett O'hara. Even though a 100 years have passed, the social structure described by Wharton were still frightenly relevant. "

" I enjoyed this. The characters were interesting and Wharton is very good at bringing the reader into their world. I found it very sad. "

" Wharton manages the impressive feat of writing a riveting novel about a character for whom we feel absolutely no sympathy. This novel was dazzlingly well-written and deeply engaging. I despised Undine--along with many of the other characters--but it was great fun to read about her. "

" Supremely entertaining. I think all women have a little of the "heroine" in them. A modern woman who believes society owes her everything. "

" I try to read one or two "classics" each year. this one for me was just"meh". Not awful, but not something I really looked forward to reading every day. "

" I dislike Undine intensely and what she has done to the people in her life, but I suppose it is also their fault for enabling her. Good writing, though. "

" I can't decided if I would say I "enjoyed" this book. It was a good & engaging read, but the main character was definitely not likeable. I always find it interesting to read aboutcustoms from earlier times, but the meanness, self-centerdness & cruelty of some of the characters really got to me. "

" Shades of an early 20th Century Danielle Steele but good Edith none-the-less. "

" The adventures of social climber Undine Spragg from Apex City. Quintessential Wharton and a great read. "

" Good old gloomy Edith Wharton! You can count on her for unhappy, unfulfilled characters who struggle against a fate of never being quite rich enough. Always well written and readable. I love this era of literature...Snobbery and vanity without the double negatives! "

" Edith Wharton is always good. I didn't think the writing, story, or characters were as compelling as the other novels I've read of hers (Age of Innocence, House of Mirth, Mother's Recompense) but I still appreciated the message and the nuances. "

" A wonderful book about a young lady who thinks herself above others, and who will never ever be satisfied with what she gets because she obviously deserves so much more. "

" Wharton is one of my favorites. Book unfolds like a soap opera. Undine is a bit of a Scarlett O'Hara figure, with a very similar ending. I never hear people talk about this one, but it's as good as Mirth & Innocence. "

" Reading this for book club. Liking it a lot. Reminds me of The Razor's Edge. "

" i mean, it's no Ethan Frome. Social commentary about those social climbing bitches of her time. A lot more dramatic and entertaining than I expected. Worth a read, but be willing to deal with some loathsome but lovable characters. "

" I can't decided if I would say I "enjoyed" this book. It was a good & engaging read, but the main character was definitely not likeable. I always find it interesting to read aboutcustoms from earlier times, but the meanness, self-centerdness & cruelty of some of the characters really got to me. "

" I enjoyed this book. Good writing with a indulgent heroine. "

" To use Undine's own words, "Well, I never. . .!" As in, I have never met a character who I wanted so badly to slap, who I wanted to see rot in shack while taunted by children. Undine Spragg makes Emma Bovary seem mildly annoying. A classy beach read. "

" I LOVE this not so well known book by Wharton. I seriously could not put it down. What a fascinating protagonist. <br/> "

" How could anyone possibly be as shallow as Undine Spragg? She got the unhappiness she deserved. I read this after Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, which the author recommended in her notes at the end. "

" I know this is said to be her best, but I didn't enjoy it as much as Age of Innocents. It doesn't have the nuances of her other books. "

" what a great novel. class and social standing revealed in it's vilest form. a wharton must read. a superbly vacuous, selfish, cruel and heartless character created that i am sure wharton recognized in the newly invented elite of NY. [contrasted with the old established aristocratic families.] "

" I have to reread this book every once in a while, and today was the day. "

" I'm not sure there has ever been a villain quite like Undine Spragg. Absolutely no redeeming qualities.<br/><br/>And yet, this book is one of the best I have ever read.<br/><br/>Ever. "

" UGHHHH! I CANNOT STAND UNDINE. But it was still a good book :) "

" This is the first thing I have read by Edith Wharton, and I really liked it! I want to call it something like Vanity Fair crossed with Somerset Maugham. "

" This book illustrates the consequences of conspicuous consumption and explores marriage as a woman's profession. "

" Scarlett O'Hara x 1,000 = Undine Spragg. "