"The persons of their world lived in an atmosphere of faint implications and pale delicacies, and the fact that he and she understood each other without a word seemed to the young man to bring them nearer than any explanation would have done."
- Book 1, Chapter 2, The Age of Innocence, Edith Wharton
Disappointed love... It is a perpetual theme in fiction, isn't it? And so it is the theme of The Age of Innocence, Edith Wharton's most dazzling and romantic novel. We are transported to the fashionable world of Old New York circa 1870's. A beautiful world with beautiful people, living neat, orderly, respectable lives... But much is brewing under those calm surfaces. Our hero Newland Archer at the beginning of the tale is lately engaged to the lovely May Welland, a match supported by his peers and family. But Newland finds himself increasingly perplexed by and attracted to May's cousin, the Countess Olenska, who recently returned from Europe to escape her troubled past and seek refuge among family and familiar places. But the inner circles Newland and the Countess dwell in make it impossible for them to be together. Through the complicated labyrinth of social codes and conduct they try to connect, but are thwarted at every turn. Missed opportunities and dashed hopes follow them. Passions smolder under the surface of everything in this story, trying to break free. Freedom to be one's true self against the norm comes with heavy consequences. The opulent surroundings of Newland Archer, the Countess Olenska, May Welland and the great cast of characters, dwells in hints of sensual delight. But delight up to a point. Taste and decorum's iron rule slap the hands of those wanting an extra taste. Possessions, money, connections, family trees... the world of the material has weight over the inner world. Newland on the surface is the epitome of conventionality, almost stoically deep in the constraints of his place in life and in his world and society. He wants to rebel, to live the life he truly desires, and with the woman he truly desires... He is a broken man...
The world of this story is the 1870's... but who has not had their heart broken, their courage, fortitude and values tested? Something wonderful about rediscovering these classic books is, that while they were written during and about distant times, the emotion and psychological world can very much be related to today. Abundant and lush in period detail, The Age of Innocence sparkles with rich dialog and narrative. It is hard not to fall in love with this sad story. While the outcome breaks the heart of the reader, and this reader especially, it is a beautifully rendered work of fiction that haunts the senses.
Over these many months now re-visiting the classics, I see that nearly all of the works so far have heavy stories, or sad endings! LOL! For some refreshing fun, a lighter story is just the thing for summer now... So I'll be re-discovering The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim during July. This title is not found on the lists of Top 100 of Literature I've seen around, but I'm making this up as I go along...and this particular story is enchanting. If you are looking for a book for vacation/holiday, I highly recommend this one. But more on this later in the month...
Dear Husband and I are still delighting in our evenings with classical music. June was filled with compositions by Ralph Vaughan Williams, a favorite composer whose works we turn to again and again. His music is infused with so much of the humble and wondrous spirit of humanity and even the realm of the spiritual (though RVW wasn't a religious man). As part of our little homage to Vaughan Williams, we watched the excellent Tony Palmer film/DVD O Thou Transcendent: The Life of Ralph Vaughan Williams. Details of his life, times and music creation are woven between passages of his sublime compositions. I am not clever enough to critique music, so I won't. Music is a very personal thing, don't you think? And like most folks, I like what I like. During July we will be listening to Giacomo Puccini--Tosca, Madame Butterfly--yes!
What are you reading and listening to at the moment?
Please join me here tomorrow when the giveaway winners will be announced! Happy Day, my friends! :o)
