The Age of Innocence

The Age of Innocence is a book by Edith Wharton, first published in 1920. Set in the rigid, tradition-bound world of 1870s New York high society, the novel follows Newland Archer, a young attorney whose life appears perfectly arranged. Engaged to the well-bred and impeccably proper May Welland, he expects a future marked by stability and social approval. But his certainty begins to falter when May’s cousin, the unconventional and scandal-shadowed Countess Ellen Olenska, returns to America seeking escape from an unhappy European marriage. As Newland becomes increasingly entangled with Ellen, he is forced to confront the unwritten rules governing Old New York — rules designed to preserve appearances, protect family reputation, and discourage the slightest disruption of established order. The tension between his duty to May and his growing affection for Ellen creates a quiet but powerful struggle, revealing the emotional costs of conformity in a society that prizes tradition above all else. The novel’s commentary on social expectation and forbidden longing continues to resonate with modern readers who appreciate richly developed characters and nuanced, character-driven drama. As the plot develops, Newland’s inner conflict deepens, drawing you into a world where passion and duty collide in subtle but unforgettable ways. Edith Wharton, the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, brings her intimate knowledge of the American upper class to this celebrated work. Her precise insights, atmospheric detail, and timeless themes make this novel an essential addition to any classic literature collection.