Not as innocent as it seems

I must admit, I read this book for class. I was the loser who did summer reading. However, it was definitely worth my time.

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton transports readers to the world of high society in the Old New York of the late 1800s. I thought the author did a fantastic job making me feel like I was part of the activities high society revolved around. Suddenly I was interested in the opera, dinner parties, and summer retreats to Newport.

Newland Archer, the main character, is engaged to the hottest girl of 1870, May Welland. But then he falls in love with her even hotter cousin, Ellen Olenski, who just escaped from an abusive relationship with a European count. You can see where the driving plot comes in.

Personally, I thought Archer was annoying because he pits the two women against each other in his head and never actually goes after what he wants. He just wanders around being brooding and indecisive.

Ellen on the other hand is much more likable. She is so busy living her best life that she doesn't even realize everyone is talking about her behind her back.

BUT THE ENDING. AGH. I was so mad. Read it and you will understand. However I think the conclusion does really tie the main themes of the book together into a neat, little, repressed bow.