The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton (Review) 

Thanks, Juan. It's obviously a pretty complicated issue, as we're all so entangled with it. I mean, I said this message ON social media for crying out loud. I think it's just healthy to get regular reminders about some of the ill effects it can have. Glad you enjoyed it, though! Thanks for the kind words. This video meant a lot to me.

Well this is the nicest thing that's been said to me in a long time. Thank you so much for the kind words, that really means a lot. I was actually proud of this one, so it makes me happy to know that it at least made a small mark. Classics aren't for everyone, so if Wharton doesn't seem like your thing don't force it. But she's obviously been a huge influence on me so I will always recommend her. What did you think of Ethan Frome? It's one of my all-time favourites.

I loved Ethan Frome. I first read it right out of high school. What captured my attention was the crash. I didn't even notice the aftermath the crash had on the lives of the characters. Rereading it last year, the aftermath was what stuck with me. Consequence and responsibility shouted out at me this time. I was so impressed by what Wharton was saying in this small book. I finished up my third reading of David Copperfield last night. Knowing that it would take several days to finish the book, I played around with what my next read would be. I picked up Robinson Crusoe because it was mentioned in Dickens' book. When I read it the first time (again, right out of high school) the part that stayed with me was when Crusoe made it back to Europe. There was a scene (in the snow?) with wolves that really came alive for me. I am thinking quite seriously that Robinson Crusoe will be my next read. Also, I read Nordhoff and Hall's Mutiny on the Bounty in high school. I quite enjoyed it. I'm not sure I would reread it but you never know. The urge may be felt at some time in the future.

Glad you liked it, Nashwa. I've been (basically) Facebook free for 3-4 years, and it feels great. For whatever reason I just find people are so much more self-centred on there than on any other social platform. It's a bit exhausting to me. If others like it, then great, whatever floats their boat. Just not for me. Glad you liked the video, though! And yeah, if you're curious about Wharton, give her a try. Even start with Ethan Frome, as a taster. It's only like 100 pages and I absolutely adore it.

She Wants the Diction Oh this book definitely has moments that make you think of your own life and wince. But in a good way, I think. But hey, the deadbeats are gone, right? Sounds like you figured it out 😊 Welcome to the channel! Don’t be a stranger.

Have you read any other Wharton, by any chance?

@@RickMacDonnell not yet. this is my first book I read by her. I might check out The House of Mirth later i hope..

Thanks, Jason. Every Edith Wharton book I read devastates me emotionally. In the best possible way.

Totally Pretentious Thanks so much! Wharton is one of my favourites. Glad to hear that my review did the book at least some form of justice. So happy to hear that you read it. She’s an author I want to foist upon everyone I know 😄

Yeah, I want to make it clear that the "affair" in the title of this video refers to the affair in the book, and not me. There was no affair in my story (besides, I suppose, an emotional one). But yeah, it was a crazy time, but it all worked out. My ex is also happily married now and everyone has found their person :) Pretty wild that you met your husband at 15! And it's stuck. That's incredible. Are you from a smaller town?

Another Book Vlog oh gosh. I just realised how I phrased it that it may have seemed like I implied something 🙈 that wasn't how I intended it to sound lol. & You didn't give the impression of a physical affair from your video! By next step, I meant going into a marriage out of obligation. But I am glad to hear you're both happily apart instead of miserably together. We met I was 15, he was 18, but we were friends for a good year or closer to 2 before (I) made my feelings very clear 😂. And after that we just stuck. He was lead singer in a band with my cousin (who's also one of my best friends), my friends and I called him "hot band guy" for almost two years 😂. I never thought anything would ever come of us until it did. That was just shy of 12 years ago haha & I guess it's not a huge city, but wouldn't say too small, around 90-100k? We actually grew up a couple blocks from one another, and he was in grade 12 when I started grade 9 but we never saw each other at school haha. Only met because of my cousin, who wasn't even in school by that time haha.

Don't worry, I didn't think you implied anything. I just wanted to clear the air officially in case anyone was confused LOL

Glad you liked it, Robert! I just loved this book. Edith Wharton is my muse, basically.

Thanks! Glad you liked it :)

That rant is why this is (probably) my favourite video I've made (despite the awful lighting that makes me cringe every time I see it LOL). So glad you enjoyed the video! Your comment means a lot, truly. Have you read the book yet? Or, do you plan to now that you've watched the movie?

Thanks, Tracey. The idea of a classic never being finished saying what is has to say isn't mine. I can't recall where I heard that, but it's stuck with my for years. It's perfect, I think. And nice to see another Age of Innocence fan :)

@guiltyfeat I have a very, very personal connection to Ethan Frome. So that book is always going to mean more to me. But I do love Age of Innocence. I think House or Mirth is on my TBR list this year

Thanks for such a sweet message, Jo. Really happy you liked the video. Easily my favourite one I've made :)

Well, I don't have a podcast (yet?) but your compliment was very much appreciated anyway. Thanks for watching!

Thanks for the kind words, Scott. Social media has its place, for sure. I'm a fan, in the broad sense. But we can all stand to use it a bit more honestly, I think. And depend less on it, for sure. Glad you liked the review!

You mean you've gotten rid of Twitter like 5 days after you came back to it? lol

@@RickMacDonnell yeah... I don't think it's possible for me to have a healthy relationship with Twitter. I know people say it's Facebook that manipulates people and creates addictive behaviour and what not, but for me, it's Twitter... I can reactivate within 30 days if I change my mind but I hope I don't.

@@LauraFreyReadinginBed I never had twitter but I divorced myself from FB a few weeks ago and I LOVE it. I feel so free.

@@RickMacDonnell can't take anymore of the shallow vacuous simpletons.

Thanks, Nina :) It's not always easy to get a bit raw with these videos but it usually feels pretty good.

The timing was a bit accidental, but it was a happy accident! Glad you enjoyed it :)

Thank you!

Always so happy to meet a Wharton fan. She's the BEST. I still haven't tackled House of Mirth, but likely will by the end of the year. I would really love to read some short fiction from her, actually, to see if it feels any different. Have you?

Wow, Jacqueline, that sounds like a heavy load. Just remember to take some time for yourself once and a while. Self-care is so important! (I'm learning) I actually wanted to be a professor went I started taking my English degree way back when. Dream fizzled fairly quickly though. Not entirely sure why. By 2nd year I'd already changed course away from that.

Another Book Vlog Never too late to return to academia. Because my son and I now live in London, performance isn't so much of an issue. If I still lived in N.Ireland I'd feel stifled. However, London can be an isolating place.

Glad you liked it! Social media has its uses, but man, it's a cesspool.

@@RickMacDonnell Agreed. Social media has many amazing applications. They are just generally not utilised for such things.

Imo it's because he realized that May was actually his "love". After his son tells him what she said on her deathbed.

@@trawlins396 i never thought of that. Interesting.

@@juju.ukrainiangirl I just watched the movie tonight and I immediately ordered the book. After I finish the book I may have a different perspective on why he didn't go in.

@@juju.ukrainiangirl I agree that the Countess was selfish for basically subjecting her cousin to a loveless marriage..

@@trawlins396 I haven't seen a movie, when you finish the book please share your opinion, it would be great to hear if your perspective has changed 😀

LOL. Just bookmark the video and re-watch it later to get you hyped for the book when you DO find some time for it :)

Marian's Books on Toast Yes, it’s so good! Have you read any of Wharton before?

@@RickMacDonnell Yes! Read The House of Mirth, which I rather loved. I will observe that social media exacerbates the need to perform, but play devil's advocate and say that we all perform every day, unless we're sitting at home alone. Even then maybe. If you're that guy who hid out in the Maine woods for decades, you perform to expectations. We can negotiate it to a different extent, depending. And I wonder about the line between conformity and performance.

Hey, thanks Billy. Really appreciate it.

I'm a Twitter person, too (I haven't used Facebook in like 3+ years). But thanks for the kinds words! I don't think going viral is in the cards, but I appreciate the sentiment :D

Britta Böhler Hahaha! Thanks, Britta!

One of the funniest compliments I've gotten in a long time LOL