I've been meaning to read this for years and finally did. As an Amazon freebie, there's really no excuse. One should read the book that won a woman the first Pulitzer Prize, no? Seems like a general must.

Wharton gives us an intriguing -- and often humorous -- insider's view of upper class society in New York in the late 1870s . Wharton herself grew up in this environment and so, was uniquely positioned to poke fun at her people. The clothing, the furnishings, the social standards, manners, and even the hair styles are all detailed with accuracy, making it a fascinating historical novel today.

Having heard of the film made in the 90s, I was braced for adultery, betrayal, and deception. Even when these things are painted in a way where we're supposed to feel for the star crossed lovers, I become frustrated, and generally don't like the stories. I find myself wishing they'd divorce their spouses and run off with their lovers properly. This story is something else entirely, and I really loved the way it ended. A similar story today would be written in a much different manner, and of course, lose all of what makes this novel really great. The subtlety, the fierce morals, the adhesion to what society dictated was right and good, all while hypocrisy went on behind closed doors, makes this utterly engaging and interesting and riveting.

p.s. I watched the 90s film after I finished the book. They ramped up the passion a bit overmuch, but they stayed shockingly close to the book. A lot of reviewers rated it as dull and boring, but I quite enjoyed it and think they did a decent job. You lose a lot of the subtlety of course, but I recommend watching after you read this.