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mrginger42's review against another edition
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kellysings's review against another edition
4.0
No one has ever been as down bad as Newland Archer....just like me fr when he realizes at the end of the book that everyone was aware of him being in love with Ellen even though he thought he hid it soooo well....bb girl it was obvious!! the mortifying ordeal of realizing you are being Perceived
bohoautumn's review against another edition
4.0
Wharton is so tragic (Ethan Frome especially) that I missed her humour until a couple of chapters in! I personally can't use the word 'funny' alongside her work but she does make one chuckle. She is witty and sharp and has an eye for social absurdities. Similar to Austen in having a sardonic view of society, but Wharton cuts much deeper, and with subsequent more dire consequences.
What I enjoyed the most was the turn-around in how we are left thinking about certain characters. How our cynicism turns to empathy or at least an understanding of sorts.
She is a master at creating a claustrophobic world and the emotions that seek to tear that fabric.
I enjoyed this so much that I would have given it 5 stars if it weren't for three aspects;
- the labouring of the 'Old New York' phrase in the first half (I get it Edith!)
- I wanted something more from our heroine. She is introduced as someone controversial and rather daring. But her actions and words as we know her don't always live up to that persona. I wanted more oomph from her.
- and the anti-climax of the ending. It just left me flat.
Over all wonderful Wharton stuff, but House of Mirth remains my favourite.
What I enjoyed the most was the turn-around in how we are left thinking about certain characters. How our cynicism turns to empathy or at least an understanding of sorts.
She is a master at creating a claustrophobic world and the emotions that seek to tear that fabric.
I enjoyed this so much that I would have given it 5 stars if it weren't for three aspects;
- the labouring of the 'Old New York' phrase in the first half (I get it Edith!)
- I wanted something more from our heroine. She is introduced as someone controversial and rather daring. But her actions and words as we know her don't always live up to that persona. I wanted more oomph from her.
- and the anti-climax of the ending. It just left me flat.
Over all wonderful Wharton stuff, but House of Mirth remains my favourite.
felicjan's review against another edition
3.0
R.I.P. Newland Archer, you would have loved fanfiction.
mcmah303's review against another edition
3.0
I can enjoy a good novel of manners usually, but this one was mostly just frustrating to me; maybe it was the setting in New York City and my preconceived stereotype that American communication should be more direct, or maybe it was that the characters never ended up resolving their communication issues even after after being explicitly offered an opportunity to by a third party, but this was a little difficult to get through and unsatisfying.
caperi's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I’m surprised this was written by a woman, even a woman of her time. The women feel bland and flat and unlike full-fledged humans.
The male protagonist is a hypocritical oxymoron of a man. In the beginning of the book he is painted as a liberal feminist. A man who desires women to have the same freedom as men, to enjoy the same privileges in society as men. He champions the idea that one of the FMCs should be free to divorce her husband without negative societal repercussions. However, when actually discussing or contemplating the women in his life; he considers them as “pale” and “dull” and devoid of any thoughts or interests. And later in the book, he almost complete seems to change his tune. As to his wife, he says:
“There was no use trying to emancipate a wife who had not the dimmest notion she was not free.”
Hard to tell what she had any notion of when the author gave us zero insights into the character.
This book was a drag. None of the characters were very likable. The main character was the worst offender. A hard read when there is no plot to be had. Would not recommend.
The male protagonist is a hypocritical oxymoron of a man. In the beginning of the book he is painted as a liberal feminist. A man who desires women to have the same freedom as men, to enjoy the same privileges in society as men. He champions the idea that one of the FMCs should be free to divorce her husband without negative societal repercussions. However, when actually discussing or contemplating the women in his life; he considers them as “pale” and “dull” and devoid of any thoughts or interests. And later in the book, he almost complete seems to change his tune. As to his wife, he says:
“There was no use trying to emancipate a wife who had not the dimmest notion she was not free.”
Hard to tell what she had any notion of when the author gave us zero insights into the character.
This book was a drag. None of the characters were very likable. The main character was the worst offender. A hard read when there is no plot to be had. Would not recommend.