This book did a wonderful job of exploring the character of Zeena. This book, even though it draws from an earlier work, is one of the more original books that I've read in a long while.

Trying to spin a tale from a classic cannot be an easy feat, but this story really captured me. For anyone who liked Ethan Frome, this book is for you. A carefully weaved story with characters that are as real as they get.

The characters came alive in this story, and Elizabeth Cooke told it wonderfully. I just wish it was longer.

Not being familar withe book, Scorcese and Cocks came up with a excellent film of class hypocrisy and repression. Well worth reading on its own right, hopefully this film will get the acclaim it deserves. Those that did like this film should also examine Kubrick's 'Barry Lyndon', a film which was one of Scorsese's main influence during the making of the film.

This book really can be called a "work of art". It includes some stunning pictures and paintings that later inspired the making of the film "The Age of Innocence". It's really an uncommon chance to glimpse into our own pictorial heritage, as seen through the eyes of one of America's most important filmmakers. Included is also the shooting script and a series of quotations from the period's writers that help in the building of the 19th century athmosphere. Strongly reccommended to the lovers of this film and to the ones who want to appreciate more and understand where the "inspiration" comes from. Massimo Benvegnu

It was a long book for such a short book.

Don't get me wrong, this is a classic book well deserved for that title.

It is a very complicated and intricate story with mystery, love and evil.

You have a woman, Hester Pryne, who is beyond her time. Strong, beautiful, stubborn, honest and a mother without a father.

There is the father, the priest Dimmsdale, a man tormented by his secret. He is weak and is broken down by the secret he feels he cannot tell and tormented each day by it.

The long gone husband, Roger Chillingworth, sinister and revengeful. All he can think about is tormenting the two lovers, to break them down slowly.

There parallels and many themes that are very subtle and unnoticeable. Beautifully written with delicate underlying dialogue that tells it's own story.

This isn't a book for everybody. In order to really understand this book, you need to understand theme, archetypes, motifs, and the relevance of light and shadow. As my American Literature teacher says, bring you own experiences into the story; you will understand it a lot better.

I loved this book. I resent being told I have to read anything. But I still found pleasure out of it. In this book Hester commits adultery and is forced to wear an "A" declaring her sin. You will see early on the hypocrisy of the town. Why not make someone where an "L" for liar or an "T" for theif? Hester is a complicated character. She is not trashy like I first expected. Not at all. This book has a lot of symbolism that I found beautiful. There are plenty of twists in this book. Don't watch the Demi Moore movie of The SL. It is completley different from the book. I recommend this book to everyone.

The Norton Anthology of American literature is a great collection of the most prominent and prolific authors in this young nation's history. The Anthology covers the development of authors in the new world, from the early native American folk tales to the works of Toni Morrison and Allen Ginsberg. The anthology spans poetry and prose and gives the reader a great cross sectional view of American society and its problems. The presence of Native American, Black and Hispanic authors presents a complete line up of works of literature, presented in a pleasant chronological order and introduced by a brief and interesting description of the author's life and works. The introductory description of each author facilitates the contextual placement of the text and its comprehension. The anthology contains several novels such as "Howl", "Sula" and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". The presence of these complete works makes the anthology more complete, as they are an important part of the American literary tradition. The selection of authors and of their works is a good one, but presents some flaws. Obviously not being able to include all relevant authors in the American literary tradition, the editors selected a large number of authors, and their most important works. Nonetheless several important texts seem to be missing. Texts by less prolific authors, such as the great new classic "To kill a mockingbird" are missing. Although the anthology gives the reader an introduction on the author and his works it does not stimulate sufficiently through interesting points to be discussed and questions which shed light on hidden or obscure aspects of the texts. The anthology is a great tool for any class, or for the passionate reader. It is ideal if accompanied by a class or group/club in which the texts are discussed.

To anyone seeking an encompassing overview of American literature, here is your book. This, the latest edition of the Norton Anthology, not only makes for months of good reading but also acts as a good primer for further pursuits in American letters (academic and otherwise.) Besides the countless number of excellent selections, eleven works appear in their entirety. Among them, Twain's Huckleberry Finn, Whitman's "Song of Myself," and Ginsburg's "Howl."

The anthology also contains several new additions - most notably an intriguing section of Native American trickster tales that provides an interesting counter to Chris Columbus' over-zealous ramblings. As for more contemporary writing, I was pleasantly surprised at the number of deserving writers and poets newly anthologized in this revision: Toni Morrison, Raymond Carver, and Sandra Cisneros just to name a few.

Yet what makes this anthology truly successful is the breadth and depth of the text as a whole. The selections, the organization, the well-written bits of biographical information... IT ALL FITS PERFECTLY! No doubt other readers will find this anthology as informative, provocative and enjoyable as I do. A definite keeper for my permanent collection.

The Norton anthology is the definitive collection of American literature. Its selections range from the letters of Christopher Columbus to quintessential American works like Whitman's "Song of Myself" and inherently American movements such as beat poetry. The collection offers a wide spread selection of works, some of which fall outside of your typical definition of "literature." All, however, have been important parts of our artistic tradition and provide literary examples of the coming of age of America. Literature has truly helped to define the American identity. This book is a history lesson, a journey through some of the most beautiful poetry and prose ever written and a testament to the kind of intelligent, passionate people that have formed our country.

I bought this book looking for Maxfield Parrish illustrations. I kept this book because Edith Warton is an incredibly soothing writer.

It should be of note that the text was so wonderfully written that it kept me from returning the book.

Imagine, however, what an incredible book this would be if the Parrish illustrations were not in black and white.

I was very excited to find this book and nab a copy of it. (I'm a garden writer and I wanted to get Edith Wharton's perspective on garden history).

Italian gardens, as it turns out, are places for walking, thinking, conversing and relaxing. Their most common elements are paths, hedges, arcades, fountains, pools and grottos. They very seldom utilize color (a feature that is often ofterdone in American gardens), instead concentrating on foliage texture, stone and statuary. Usual plantings are trees, shrubs and vines.

What is most instructive is the layout of these Italian gardens, including the idea of garden rooms and the use of water features (both of which have become immensely popular here in the US, in the last few years). The architecture of the garden is everything, and is an extension of the house. Order, logic and function are paramount in the Italian garden.

Edith Wharton is a brilliant and fascinating guide; literary and historical references abound. A joy to read and to keep for reference.

I am a lucky owner of the 1904 original edition. I bought this reissue so that I could enjoy reading the text without worrying about damaging my 1904 edition. Comparing the two, the orignal's Parrish color and black & white illustrations are all there in the reissue. Please note that several were NOT color in the original too. The only difference is that the reissue has the color prints situated in a group in the center of the book, whereas (in the original) they are sprinkled throughout and have tissue paper protection. The color print quality is not as crisp as the original, but it is color. The b&w print quality is just as un-crisp as in the original.

This fairy book has some wise philosophy about xenophobia and cruel leadership, but the charm is thin. Baum wrote it during the hiatus when he hoped he'd written his last Oz book. Fortunately, public demand defeated him.

Being a L.Frank Baum fan, I loved Sky Island. It is a enchanting book with the main characters as a charming little girl named Trot and a kind sailor-by name Capn' Bill. I loved this adventuras book, which involes a magic umbrella and a exciting run-in with some blularoos. I wont give the book away, but if your are thinking about giving this book to a child- (being 14 myself) I still love reading it, and its definetly worth the money and time.

Trot ,a young girl and her friends Cap'n Bill and Button Bright fly to Sky Island with a magic umbrella.There, they are made slaves by the Boolooroo of the Blues. Then they escape and go through the fog bank to the other side of the island, where the Pink People are going to throw them off the side of the island. Polychrome, the rainbow's daughter ,saves them.