The Age of Innocence (Edith Wharton) - Book Review

How much can one man endure while fulfilling his personal obligations to family/society?

'The Age of Innocence' was published in 1920 and one year later Edith Wharton became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize. Her book is set in the 1870's and follows the personal dramas of high society New York, centring around the love triangle between Newland Archer, his fiancée May Welland and her captivating, enigmatic cousin Ellen Olenska.

I summarised the book as follows. "I was somewhat surprised by how much I actually enjoyed this book. Drama and interpersonal relations don't tend to draw me in but I actually resonated quite a lot with Newland and his predicament. The book explores themes of social class, breaking taboo's and where an individual's happiness is acceptable in light of the obligations/duties owed to his society and family."

I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!

Timeline:
(0:00) - Background & synopsis
(2:43) - Social class: doesn't make someone 'better'
(8:13) - Mixing duty/obligation with love
(13:24) - Is intense, fiery love sustainable?
(16:16) - Personal observations
(20:02) - Summary & pragmatic takeaway

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