"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)
Tracy, thanks, I'll make a note of Ralph Vaughan Williams and keep an eye out when we visit the city.
I'm reading 'The Secret Cure' by Sue Woolfe, an Australian and I have Anne Stevenson's 'Bitter Fame - A Life of Sylvia Plath' beside my armchair, along with Vicki Archer's 'My French Life'.
I do like those period stories on occasion. My next read will be Ken Follett's 'Pillars of the Earth', which I read many years ago but I'd like to read anew.
I'm listening to ABC Classic FM while I sit at my computer. I have many classical CDs but my husband can only take it for a short while, unfortunately. He does like the violin though and loves me playing the piano, which is mainly classical, so work that out!
Posted by: alaine | July 02, 2009 at 07:48 AM
This is one of my favorite novels! Last fall I visited Wharton's estate, The Mount, in Lenox, MA. It was an amazing experience to see the gardens (glorious--the anemones were blooming riotously) and rooms (beautifully proportioned). I love what you say about sad endings. I teach literature to college students, and they often say, "Why do you make us read such sad stories?" How can I tell them that many of the great ones are sad? Sometimes I think it's because people often write about the things that are hard to comprehend or process as an attempt to sort through them emotionally, intellectually, metaphysically, or however they need to!
Enchanted April, on the other hand--that's a different kettle of fish. You know, I've never read the book, only watched the film, which I LOVE! Now I must read the book this summer. Thanks for the inspiration.
xo Gigi
Posted by: Gigi | July 02, 2009 at 12:45 PM
This is one of the classics I have not read. I should get back into that again someday! :)
Posted by: tattingchic | July 02, 2009 at 01:13 PM
Dear TRacy,
as ever, we are on the same page in our literary and musical tastes.
Both Wharton and RVW delight me and enrich me.
Greetings to you and Charlie!
Posted by: Elizabeth Wix | July 02, 2009 at 01:15 PM
Good reads, good music. What more can a person ask for? Thanks for sharing your picks with us.
Paz
Posted by: Paz | July 02, 2009 at 01:46 PM
Gasp. My "Eastern body, Western Mind" book is gathering dust. I haven't any classics on the side waiting to be read (altho I have picked up "Paris 1914" and some Germaine Greer books, also gathering dust.) I've almost finished reading most of my statutes but this isn't nearly as interesting as your reads. Maybe one day?
Posted by: Maureen | July 02, 2009 at 05:33 PM
I love historical fiction. This sounds like an interesting read.
As for the music, I truly hope my music students grow up to enjoy classical music in the evenings. That sounds delightful. Our ability to play music in our living room is temporarily out of order...I hope we get it restored soon. I have been wanting to listen to some favorite CD's.
Becky K.
Posted by: Becky K. | July 02, 2009 at 05:38 PM
I So look forward to reading this. I might have to buy my own copy though, I just wasn't fast enough for the library. : )
You inspire me.
xo
Posted by: Christina | July 02, 2009 at 07:19 PM
I love older fiction.
I am addiscted to Masterpiece Theatre on PBS. Charles Dickens is a re-found favorite of mine.
Posted by: Christie Cottage | July 02, 2009 at 07:46 PM
Great post! Thanks for sharing that wonderful review! I'm now far too embarrassed to share my current reading and listening pleasures. My tastes are quite low-brow in comparison to yours! ;D
Posted by: Tracy | July 03, 2009 at 12:10 PM
I just can't bring myself to read sad books :(. It does sound like a lovely one, though. I know you're living out of the country, but have a happy 4th of July weekend :)!
Posted by: Sophie | July 03, 2009 at 07:57 PM
I loooooved Enchanted April! It was the perfect title to such a wonderful book. I liked Age of Innocence as well, though I think I liked the movie version better with Daniel Day Lewis.
Posted by: hazel designs | July 05, 2009 at 08:48 PM
I just really, really love Enchanted April. It's marvelous. In fact, I posted about it once. If you're interested, it's here: http://comesitbymyfire.blogspot.com/2008/04/my-rite-of-spring.html
Posted by: Relyn | July 06, 2009 at 12:38 AM
Oh - I must read Enchanted April - I can't believe I never have!! I just love the film (with Josie Lawrence and Alfred Molina) and am sure I would love the book too - it's a great story. I'm with you on Puccini too - love his arias!
BTW - I loved your photos of your days out - you really did have great weather, and what a lovely town.
Enjoy the Summer! Love Miriam
Posted by: Miriam | July 09, 2009 at 08:21 PM