Books for Prep | |
 - A Touching Tale of Human WeaknessI have long been a fan of Edith Wharton's work after seeing the film adaptation of The Age of Innocence, but this is my favorite of her stories. I have never seen the film version, for fear to would ruin the novel for me. I have to disagree with the previous reviewer who found Wharton's writing style too difficult for the modern reader. The writing is intellectual, in that she uses good words and perfect grammar, unlike most popular novels today, but very easy to understand. I could not put this book down once I picked it up, but is deliciously long enough to keep me entertained for a week. The story's protagonist, the beautiful Lily Bart is at first glance what we imagine a young lady of society in the late 1800's to be, flirty, charming but a little self-centered and love for all things elegant and beautiful. As the story progresses we grasp her vulnerability and her insecurities and also her all too human love of wealth and "beautiful things." She is unable to give into her love for the only person who truly understands and respects her because he is unable to give her all the material things she desires. However when is given the opportunities to become like other women and marry for money to a man she hates, she cannot bring herself to do some. The story is a dance of Liliy's struggle between the things she wants and must have and the other alternative. Rating:  - A Difficult Read For Me, A Bit Like Deciphering Shakespeare's EnglishI have to say this was no easy read for me. I had a bit of a difficult time with the English. Edith Wharton writes in a way that makes things sound beautiful yes, but I wasn't always confident that I was comprehending the exact meaning she intended. The English is far from plain or direct, much like the communication between the characters she created. I found our protagonist Lily Bart to be shallow and vain and I had no sympathy for her and her situation in the beginning of the story. But as the story progressed I felt more and more for her plight and by the end I was saddened by the tragic course of Miss Bart's life. Edith Wharton has created quite the commentary on the life of rich socialites during the mid 1800s in New York City. I thought it was all very interesting: the egocentrism, the nasty back-stabbing, the rumor mills, how people were judged, the duties of the hangers on etc... And at times the attention to detail was a little too much for me. I thought the story was good but the emotions were muted by the language. I so appreciated Simon Rosedale who said what he meant as simply and directly as possible. It made for much less confusion about his intentions. There was a note in the back of the book about the movie The House of Mirth made in 2000. It wasn't until I had finished the book that I realized I had seen the movie. This was a book club choice and I think it will generate some very good discussions but I can't say I loved this book or would recommend it. I would tell you to watch the movie, I remember that was very moving. The book was moving too it just wasn't the most enjoyable book I've ever read. page 1 of 1
In association with Amazon.com | |