The Age of Innocence • Edith Wharton

Time and again, I had this book on my wish list, but given my towering pile of unread books, I never actually ordered it. Now that this pile has shrunk considerably and I’ve recently been in the mood for American and British authors, this novel quickly came back to mind. So I went for it and read The Age of Innocence as soon as it arrived. While reading, it sparked my interest in another author I greatly admire and enjoy reading. Who that is—and whether this lovely Manesse edition is worth it—is what I’ll write about in this post.

The story is set in New York during the 1870s. Newland Archer, a lawyer from the upper class, is engaged to the attractive and naive May. Then May’s cousin Ellen appears—someone who has previously defied convention but is also far more self-assured and experienced. Torn between these two women, Newland Archer’s conservative worldview, shaped by the rigid structures of high society, begins to waver.

I’ve always been drawn to New York and the turn of the century as a setting. The contrasts between old Europe and the new world, as well as the rapid pace of change in burgeoning America, provide fertile ground for great stories. This becomes particularly evident in this novel. The central theme of The Age of Innocence is the entrenched social structure of the upper class of that era. Numerous conventions dictated behavior, and families were meticulously concerned with preserving their reputation and meeting society’s expectations. I always find it interesting that the so-called “new world” often appears more backward than the manners of European countries. In this novel, Newland Archer is a child of this privileged class—familiar with its values and ideals, and fully embodying them. Through the love story that unfolds, Archer’s worldview is, of course, put to the test, and it’s precisely this mindset that the novel examines.

From the very beginning, I felt as though I were reading a book by Henry James, and stylistically it’s remarkably close to his works, such as The Portrait of a Lady. As in James’s novels, the contrasts between old Europe and the new America are a constant theme. The subtle psychological portrayal of thoughts, the detailed exploration of a protagonist’s motives, and the steady evolution of the characters’ inner worlds all resemble James’s narrative approach. I kept wondering why the similarity was so striking—and the afterword reveals that James and Wharton were friends, and he even served as her literary mentor. Of course, there are differences as well. Wharton becomes more direct at a certain point in the story, not lingering as long on James’s subtle nuances, and I found the novel’s ending—precisely because of its straightforward conclusion—particularly satisfying. With James, I usually fall into a pleasant, meditative flow that has a stronger pull, yet from the middle of The Age of Innocence onward, I couldn’t put it down. It was fascinating to see whether Archer would break free from these rigid structures.

Wharton’s portrayal of this old society naturally carries an undercurrent of critique, though she doesn’t ridicule or expose it. It’s clear that Wharton was far ahead of her time in terms of social awareness, and the question of women’s rights certainly shines through the narrative—as the following quote illustrates:

He fell silent and turned away irritably to light his cigar. “Women ought to be as free as we are,” he declared—a realization whose immense consequences he could not, in his irritation, begin to grasp. (p. 45)

I was surprised, however, that gender equality wasn’t the central theme. Rather, Wharton focused on portraying these old conventions—this socially confined world—and on showing how it was already in decline. What’s also fascinating is that, once again, old Europe comes across as far more progressive in its attitudes and social norms, which still surprises me. While the main theme is certainly engaging, I must say it feels of limited relevance today—though, admittedly, I have no idea what life in today’s upper class is like.

The book is a pleasure to read, with clear and direct prose, and I found it easy to empathize with Archer’s thoughts. The depiction of society at that time is also highly entertaining. Overall, it’s an enjoyable and relaxing read, with enough narrative tension to keep readers fully engaged.

Edith Wharton, born in New York in 1862, grew up in precisely the kind of society she depicts, knowing it intimately in all its nuances. Her life was far from linear—after her divorce, she moved to Paris and became socially very active. When she wrote The Age of Innocence in 1920, she was already an experienced and celebrated author, and the novel clearly shows her mastery of her craft. In 1921, she received the Pulitzer Prize for it.

The Manesse edition really impressed me, and I decided to spend a little extra for this hardcover version. I also love the old-fashioned photo on the dust jacket—it fits the content beautifully, with its dreamy expression and faint 1920s aura (even if the story is set a bit earlier). The book is bound in light linen, which I find particularly elegant, and it includes a matching ribbon bookmark. Unfortunately, it lacks thread binding—a small but real disappointment. In terms of content, though, the edition is outstanding. Numerous annotations provide background information, and it has one of the best afterwords I’ve read in a long time. It offers deep insight into Wharton’s work and includes fascinating details—for instance, that this was her third draft, and the story took a very different direction in the earlier versions. It also mentions her close friendship with Henry James.

Conclusion: The Age of Innocence is a masterfully crafted story about breaking free from the rigid conventions of a society already on the verge of cultural decline. With its finely tuned psychological insight, tender love story, and graceful prose, I can highly recommend this novel. Anyone who enjoys Henry James will love this book—and while reading it, I immediately ordered another one of his works. And I’m sure that once I’ve finished that, I’ll be reaching for another Wharton. The Manesse edition is wonderful, and the best part is that it’s not the only Wharton title the publisher has reissued.

Book information: The Age of Innocence • Edith Wharton • Manesse Verlag • 400 pages • ISBN 9783717523505