Written in 1920 and winning the Pulitzer Prize (the first woman to do so). This novel is set in the New York of the 1870s and is a very witty, quietly satirical comment on the rigidity of manners and conventions for the upper class of the time. There are definite echoes of Jane Austen and, although Wharton's dialogue is not as razor sharp, her descriptive comments are very pertinent. The story hinges on the 'eternal triangle' and part of the book's strength lies in the readers ability to empathise with and admire all three.
The Age of Innocence is a beautifully written portrayal of a man who has to decide between following social convention and pursuing his own happiness. Although his thought process may be foreign to a modern reader, his struggle elicits sympathy. All of the characters are well-written and believeable and I loved the way that they had such frank conversations about their relationships. Understanding between the characters -- whether spoken or unspoken -- was the main appeal of this book for me.
