This short story is wonderfully complex and intriguing. Although it uses the late nineteenth century language, it is easy to understand and hard to put down until the end. Wonderful read for women looking for a motivational power-strive.

I had to read "Roman Fever" for an english class, and it was a very good story! The author describes the scenery & events around the characters, which makes it richer, but when you go back to analyze it, you realize that he setting & buildings & even other people in it are actually being used as foreshadowing symbolism. It's very well-written and multi-layered.

"The Age of Innocence" is a wonderful read on many levels for all kinds of readers. It shouldn't just appeal to "literature" buffs but also to romance readers, those interested in history or psychology, and anyone looking for an interesting and involving story.

Wharton weaves an intriguing tale of New York society in the late 19th century, where old ways have not yet made way for "modern" views, but it's evident that it is only a matter of time. For example, what would have been considered socially unacceptable in Newland and May Archer's time, such as marrying your mistress after your wife dies, is perfectly alright by the time May and Newland's son, Dallas, is ready to marry. Dallas is to marry the daughter of the previously mentioned union, demonstrating that by the early 20th century, the old social conventions of Old New York have gone by the wayside. Unfortunately this didn't happen in time for Newland and the Countess, and in fact, it appears that he wishes that everything could remain the same as it was in his youth, which is seen by his reaction to Countess Olenska at the end of the novel.

What makes the book truly great, though, is Wharton's detail of EVERYthing, from how a dinner was served, to an evening at the opera, and more. It's almost impossible not to enter the mind of the characters; they are so completely and complexly developed that this book should be required reading for every writer!

I really give this book 4 1/2 stars; the only reason it isn't 5 stars is because the ending was a little disappointing to me, although it was quite in keeping with the characters and the story. We tend to satisfy our curiosity as soon as possible, but a hundred years ago one had to look at other issues as more important than personal satisfaction.

The Age of Innocence, Edith Wharton. The classic story of a 19th century love affair between Newland Archer, a married New Yorker and Ellen Olenska, who is separated from her husband in europe. When Olenska leaves her husband and returns to her family in new york, a scandal ensues. Olenska is beautiful and attracts a wealth of suitors, the most prominent being Archer who understands her best and shares her ideas about freedom from social constraint. Archer is a lawyer and intervenes in Olenska's marital dispute and suggests she not file for divorce to save the public embarrassment. Meanwhile he pursues a relationship with her that can't work out because of his own marriage to May Welland, a dainty beauty, and Olenska's own troubled past. This social drama is set in old New York, a highly refined world that seems British, with all the well to do Protestants living lives of privilege and social custom. The story is how these customs are challenged but preserved by the failed relationship between Archer and Olenska and how love is hindered by convention in this rarefied world.

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. Highly recommended.

A classic novel made famous by a recent movie, The Age of Innocence is the story of a society man, Newland Archer, caught between two very different women. On the one hand is May Welland, the virginal Diana of New York society, whose seeming frankness and innocence discourage and oppress him: "Untrained human nature was not frank and innocent; it was full of the twists and defences of an instinctive guile." All this is "supposed to be what he wanted, what he had a right to, in order that he might exercise his lordly pleasure in smashing it like an image made of snow." Her counterpart is her cousin Countess Ellen Olenska, vaguely exotic, vaguely dangerous, forbidden-primarily because she is not the "artificial product" of society, but a genuine, sensual woman whose independent way of thinking is enough to tacitly and then overtly banish her from the very company that Newland's life is built around. She is !"different," as Archer will later discuss with one of his children. No one else would say, "Why not make one's own fashions?" thus giving a voice to what Archer himself deep down believes but can't put into practice.

Ironically, it is May who first forces he and Ellen together, against his will, in her efforts to be kind to her cousin, who has just returned from Europe. As he sees more of "poor Ellen," estranged from her emotionally abusive husband and seemingly vulnerable to the wiles of the wealthy outsider scoundrel Julius Beaufort, he finds himself returning again and again to her until he realises he is in love with her-long after the reader has reached that conclusion. He resolves the dilemma by rushing his marriage to May, or makes it that much worse. Thus ensues a delicate balance between the life he has chosen with May, with whom he now realises he has no emotional bond, and the life he would choose if he were more sure of himself, more sure that being true to !oneself is more important than being true to one's system.

Nearly every character is memorable-from the massive Mrs. Manson Mingott, May and Ellen's grandmother who is old enough and skilled enough to intuit all and manipulate all; to the womanizing Lawrence Lefferts, whose behavior is acceptable because he knows how to play the game, how things are "done"; to the frigid bastions of society, the van der Luydens; to May's mother, who cannot be exposed in any way to "unpleasantness"; to Archer's virginal sister Janey, who lives life vicariously through gossip and guesswork.

Many scenes and locations are equally vivid: Beaufort's lavish house and party; the contrast of the van der Luydens' dinner party; Archer and May's conventional and stifling honeymoon, more sporty than romantic or passionate; Archer's pursuit of May in Florida and his following Ellen to the Blenkers' and then to Boston; a revealing ride with Ellen in May's brougham; Mrs. Mingott's house in the m!iddle of "nowhere," where she rules like a queen and where the politics are only slightly less complicated than those of Elizabeth I's court-all unforgettable places and scenes.

In less intelligent or skilled hands, the plot could have become mere melodrama, but Wharton knows how her society worked, who inhabited it, what it forgave, and what it could not pardon. Affairs are pardonable; treachery, real or perceived, to the framework of what holds these people together is not. In the end, May saves Archer from himself-and dooms him to her kind of life by doing so. When he gives up all his dreams, he looks into May's "blue eyes, wet with tears." She knows what he does not and remains cold as the moon that the goddess Diana rules.

It could be said that May and Ellen represent two sides of Newland Archer-both are people he is afraid to become. If he is like May, he experiences death of the mind, death of the soul, death of the emotions, becoming what he is expected t!o be to keep the foundations that society is built upon steady, strong, and standing. (It is no coincidence that a theme in Wharton's The House of Mirth is the vulnerability of that house to the influx of modern ways.) If he becomes like Ellen, he will lose everything that he has built his own foundations on. In the end, he is neither, nor is he himself. His tragedy is not that much less than that of The House of Mirth's Lily Bart, both victims of a society they need but cannot survive.

Diane L. Schirf, 28 April 2001.

This work should be read by anyone interested in biography, but not for reasons the author might suspect. Here is a perfect example of biography as personal agenda. Here is biography as a skillfully written---but convoluted---interpretation of the life, letters and poems of Emily Dickinson.

Wolff should have written an editorial and clearly marked it as such.

However, one good service was provided. My friends and I would read a poem being discussed by Wolff, and then read her "forced" interpretation of it. We had many hearty laughs. But we also felt genuine pity for Wolff. Is this what she has to do to defend her agenda? Does she have no other means?

I do not worry about scholars reading this book. In fact they should read it. They will easily discover those parts that are useful---and there are many---and discard the rest. But what about young students? What of those who do not know Emily and pick this book as their first meeting with her?

Instead, may I suggest they read "The Capsule of the Mind" by Theodora Ward. It is also a psychological look at Emily Dickinson. Ward is the granddaughter of Doctor and Mrs. Josiah Gilbert Holland, two of Emily's closest friends. Ward was also an assistant to Thomas H. Johnson, Harvard University, the person most responsible for bringing us Emily's letters and poems. In fact, Ward herself was inspired to become a Dickinson scholar when she discovered sixty-five of Emily's letters in her family's attic.

Cynthia Wolff, please spare us your politically correct---but factually incorrect---views on Emily Dickinson.

Joe Psarto 27843 Detroit Road # 412 Westlake, Ohio 44145 (440-835-5179)>jpsarto@juno.com<

The greatest strength of this biography is found in its interpretations of ED's poems. Wolff is a careful and insightful reader, capable of teasing out many layers of meaning in even the most elliptical pieces. Her analyses sometimes left me breathless; there's a special pleasure in discovering new meanings in familiar poems.

As noted by another reviewer, Wolff does approach this biography with a kind of agenda. She is most interested in demonstrating how Dickinson rebelled (both in work and life) against the Trinitarian Christianity of her upbringing. Wolff really excels here, and her insight is delicious. Wolff also imbues her readings with a feminist tilt; she never descends into theoretical jargon, but her readings are often skewed by her concern with gender. I wasn't bothered by this, since her interpretations still proved fruitful and provocative. Wolff is weakest in describing ED's relationship with her mother; the psychological bent she brings to this rings a bit hollow for me, and she rides her insight about the infant poet's emotional deprivation through the entire work. Her speculation, in my opinion, isn't helpful or needed.

As a life story, this volume isn't quite so complete as it might've been. It's more a work of criticism than biographical scholarship (although Wolff brings much learning to bear in her critiques on ED's work). If you're interested in the specifics of Dickinson's life, I'd recommend starting with Sewall's monumental biography.

It's also worth noting that some critics have disagreed with Wolff's commentary on Dickinson's life, particular the poet's childhood (Wolff's take on it is rather bleak, a conclusion not necessarily supported by the historical records). I'm not a Dickinson scholar, so I can't answer to these arguments. I do love ED's poetry deeply, however, and found this book a compassionate and fascinating read.

Having read (more or less) every biography of Dickinson -- perhaps the greatest poet in English and one of the great literary sensibilities on record -- Cynthia Wolff's is the one which stands out as placing her in the appropriate context. Other biographies (for example, Sewell's) may contain a greater degree of sheer information, but none is so intelligently selective as this. Wolff's scholarship is something one can only marvel at. She attempts to, and succeeds brilliantly at, surrounding Dickinson by her literary and cultural milieu, the revivalist fervor sweeping New England at the time, her familial dynamics, the role of someone of her gender and class at that place and time. Rather than see just the face of Dickinson, a full portrait of her world emerges.

Wolff's readings are unconventional because, quite frankly, she's one of the few who's gone to the trouble of realizing that Dickinson had an ICONOGRAPHY, that certain terms appear with regularity of time and meaning. "Ample", "wrestle", "elect", "father", "bird", "bee" -- one can go on and on, if one really looks -- all derive meaning *cumulatively* from Dickinson's poetic work and voluminous, lapidarian correspondence. Many terms are consistently ironic, or mean their opposites; 'reading' the poems without realizing this will produce the kinds of interpretations produced with disappointing regularity by less careful critics. Wolff has drunk it all in, and synthesized it, in a monumental work of decipherment.

This probably shouldn't be the only Dickinson biography one reads. But it should be at the top of any such list.

This story portrays the life of an unfortunate man whose unhappiness, depression and weakness causes him to become a helpless prisoner and a lost soul that will continue living in the lonely village of Starkfield, Massachusetts forever.
Edith Wharton's, Ethan Frome begins by introducing the narrator as a character. The story then proceeds to go back in time, which takes over the bulk of the book. She also includes, within her story traces of foreshadowing and irony, which keeps the reader focused and interested. Wharton distinctly describes the environment with imagery and diction in order to sufficiently create the mood and tone of the story for the reader. Wharton's writing style attracts the reader and successfully develops an unexpected ironic twist, which makes this story one of a kind.
The tragic story of Ethan Frome takes place in the dull and isolated village of Starkfield, Massachusetts. Ethan From, the central character in the story, and his unhealthy wife, Zeena, live in quiet and sorrow, which puts an end to their marriage. Due to Zeena's illness, her cousin Mattie Silver is called to take over the responsibilities of the house. Mattie's bright and happy presence attracts Ethan immensely, causing a spark to ignite in his nonexistent life. Mattie's youthful appearance and her energetic personality contrasts with the dark and wicked characteristics of the evil sister, Zeena. Mattie and Ethan's unspoken love creates the foundation of Zeena's jealousy and rage. Her need for attention and sympathy allows her to dominate and control the lives of Mattie and Ethan. The combination of fate and Zeena's imposing power contributes to Ethan and Mattie's forbidden and unperceivable love. Ethan's constant pursuit of happiness and attempt to escape from Zeena's restraints and the confinements of the village inevitably cause unwanted results.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. It is one of the few that I have read more than once. It is a short novel, but it is 81 pages of dynamic work. The story moves along quickly at a great pace so a reader can read it in an afternoon.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading about a forbidden love between two individuals that would do anything they could in the world to be together. It is a tragic love story, but so is life in its most unusual way. Wharton's best work in this story is definitely the catastrophic twist she gives it at the end. The outcome is overwhelming and tear-jerking. Edith Wharton's description of these pressures and the longing love Ethan has for Mattie makes this a story that immediately holds the attention of the reader. It pulls the reader into an invigorating tale of the one true love finally found that is at the same time torturously, maddeningly beyond all hope of attainment.

Once in a while you have to put down those current novels, and read some classic literature. And Edith Wharton is one of the best.

This story takes place in the cold, bleak winter farmlands of Massachusetts. Ethan Frome, a poor farmer, has a hard life tending to his land, trying to make a meager living, and also taking care of his ungrateful, demanding, sickly wife, Zeena. When her cousin, Mattie, comes to help her, Ethan's life changes completely. He falls deeply in love with Mattie. This being the 1800's, he must endure the stifling conventions of that era's society also. There love for each other proves to be a fascinating story.

I loved this book. This is a story that will definitely take you away. You'll actually feel you are there. Edith's detail description of the scenery and landscape of that time are truly vivid. I found myself pausing from my reading to look outside to see if it was actually snowing. I highly suggest you find time to read "Edith Wharton's books, you'll be grateful. I certainly was!

The tragic story of Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton takes place in the dreary and lonely village of Starkfield, Massachusetts. Ethan From, the protagonist of the story, and his sickly wife, Zeena, live in silence and unhappiness which ultimately destroy their marriage. Due to Zeena's tedious illness, her cousin Mattie Silver is called upon to take over the responsibilities of the house. Mattie's vibrant and radiant presence attracts Ethan immensely, causing a spark to ignite in his nonexistent life. Ethan's love for Mattie deepens each time their eyes meet. Her youthful appearance and her lively personality starkly contrast with the dark and evil characteristics of the wicked Zeena. Mattie and Ethan's unspoken love forms the basis of Zeena's jealousy and rage. Zeena's need for attention and sympathy allows her to dominate and control the lives of Mattie and Ethan, similarly like the relationship between the puppeteer and its puppets. The combination of fate and Zeena's imposing power to contribute to Ethan and Mattie's forbidden and unpreservable love. Ethan's constant pursuit of happiness and attempt to escape from Zeena's restraints and the confinements of the villlage inevitably cause unwanted results.

Wharton's Ethan Frome begins by introducing the narrator as a character. The story then proceeds into a flashback which consumes the majority of the pages. She also includes, within her story hints of foreshadowing and irony which keep the reader focused and interested. Wharton distinctly describes the environment with excessive imagery and diction in order to sufficiently create the mood and tone of the story for the reader. The author's writing style attracts the reader and successfully develops an unexpected ironic twist which makes this story unique. This excellent story portrays the life of an unfortunate man whose unhappiness, depression and weakness cause him to become a helpless prisoner, a lost soul, who will continue living in the lonely village of Starkfield forever.

*****I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading about a forbidden love between two individuals who would do anything in the world to be together.***** I give this story, Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton two thumbs up and five stars.*****