Yep, a fantastic book! Thanks for posting this. Your enthusiasm is lovely to hear and makes me want to reread the book immediately! For me the idea that it's totally about fakery is close to correct, but it certainly doesn't call for a return to authenticity. What's authentic for someone is certainly not a forgery, but, like Paris, it isn't entirely original either. It also strikes me as distinctly American, which might be worth thinking more about on reread.
I think that’s why The Age of Innocence prompted my interest in the recognitions, it does feel very American. I’m just relieved to find something so addicting, I want to just quit my job and read this full time. And while I’m reading it very quickly, the prose style is still a mystery too me, like I don’t see the strings at all, I’m completely immersed in the puppet show. Thanks for watching!
I also agree the main theme is about what inspires future generations and the people who want to gatekeep and call those inspired to progess as fakes or contrived. The no true scotsmen fallacy is utilized often here
Thanks for this. I’ve got an interest in novels about false identities and deception. This seems quite different from the talented mr ripley and the great gatsby. I knew this was about forgery but it seems to go deeper into cultural history- from Ireland 🇮🇪
@@Jimdunne_ yes! The references are overwhelming, but I’m finding the story of the characters is still fantastic on their own, and often the references inform the erudition of the character more than the expectation that the reader understand every one. Thanks for the comment!
