Book Review

Before my second block class started and I got bogged down by all the readings that I'm behind on, I used to read books for fun. One that I just recently finished (with recently being Jan. or Feb.) is The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. I read this book awhile ago because the Martin Scorsese version was playing in the International Cinema. I didn't see the movie, but I did read the book, and I was pleased. It was a fairly quick read, and was first recommended to me by my very feminist high school English teacher for whom I have a great deal of respect, although I do not align myself with her school of feminist thought.
In short, it's about uppity New York socialites and the suffocating effects of propriety. It's brilliantly written, very colorful, and even though it mocks New York for its stringent appeal to keeping in line with societal expectations, it made me want to live there for a year or so, just so I could be apart of that etiquette. Perhaps my favorite part, though, is that I had ordered it used off of Amazon a few years ago (when I was in high school and my teacher recommended it), so I didn't know what it looked like, but the cover was some picture that reminds me of a Harlequinn romance novel. It's not like that at all, I promise. I found a picture of the copy I have, so you can see for yourself. Funny funny stuff. The publisher said they chose to make this colorful image the cover because it would appeal to the young kids, or something. I don't know, but it made me laugh.
Anyway, it's an easy read, very enjoyable, and very easy to get wrapped up in. I recommend it to girls, but boys may be bored with it. The female author does have a somewhat palpable bitterness toward all men... But she had it tough, and it makes for a great, classic novel. Not as formulaic as would be expected, too. The end is, wow. Again, like I said, very well written.