The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton (Review)

My sixth review in my series of the Top 125 Books of All-Time. Every time I read a classic I inevitably ask myself the same question: “Has this book finished saying what it has to say?” If it’s become out of touch then it isn’t a classic, because classics endure; they reinvent themselves. We continue to find value in classics well past their point of origin.

Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence is a nearly 100-year-old book about a society of fake, self-centred, and anxious people in 19th century New York and all I can think about after reading it is Facebook. If that’s not the definition of a classic in 2018 I don’t know what is.

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[justjuanreader]

I just love it when booktubers can integrate so many things in a video, awesome job! I have been talking about the relationship between social media, narcissism, and depression for some time, so it makes me glad to see you have thought about those very current and relevant issues as well. Great review, Rick!

[mattb]

Brutally honest but brutally profound. Perfectly executed. Edith would be proud. 😊

[southernbiscuits]

This is the best "Booktube" video I've ever seen! What amazing thoughts, how well presented! I am just floored. You should be very proud of this.

Last year I reread Ethan Frome. I've never ventured into The Age of Innocence or The House of Mirth. Maybe it's time I did. I assumed the books to be mannered, polite and out of touch with life today. But, you set me straight about that. This year I may tackle The Age of Innocence and see how it and I get along. Thanks for your insight and for sharing it with us!

[carolineschaillee]

I just finished reading this novel. I wanted so badky to shake them loose from convention and compliance to the peer pressure of bending the arc of love to self denial. Love it! Truth ...the un-farnished and un-adulterated honest interpretation. Ty!

[nashwas]

Not to sound dramatic or anything but I almost consider it fate that I stumbled upon this video right this minute. Since yesterday, I’ve deleted a majority of things from my Facebook because I’m slowly learning that I don’t want to share the details of my life on such a public platform and I don’t need an audience to my achievements. I’ve been considering quitting Facebook because it almost feels like an obligation to post pictures when you travel and just talk about every small thing. I’ve never read anything by Edith Wharton but I feel like this will be the first of many things I read! Thank you for this insightful review and relating your life experiences here!

[frodobaggins]

Just finished the book and came to see a review of it but this video opened my eyes to the amount of pretentious crap we see on a daily basis bcz of social media.. and the worst part is that we feel left out or feel that we’re boring bcz we don’t have these memories/moments in our life.. i love how you related the book with this.. all the best

[mikeymex_kinda]

Enjoyed reading the book and listening to this review. I'm looking forward to revisiting the book in later stages of my life. I feel that if you enjoyed this one, you will like Somerset Maugham novels.

[OldBluesChapterandVerse]

Best video I’ve seen in awhile, my friend. I love it when books resound in someone like this one clearly did with you.

[rifan_j]

Excellent review, Rick!

You certainly explained the spirit of book into a deeper perspective. I really liked how you address the current issue of social behavior on the digital age, it couldn't be more relevant.

Just finished this book exactly last night and i loved it. Edith's prose is just splendour.., and her social satire is impeccable!

Looking forward to see more clsssic review..

[SheWantstheDiction]

*quote comes onscreen*
me: *flashbacks to all the deadbeat boyfriends I had that weren't smart enough for me but that I kept around anyway because I was too afraid of being alone*
fun times.

I'm new to this channel and haven't even read the book, but I love this series and the fact that you incorporated facts about her life, your personal experience, and your conclusions about the book into one kick-ass video. 👍

[acruelreadersthesis]

I just finished this book today and I have to say that this is one of the best reviews I've seen. Very insightful. I especially appreciated your comparing the story to the opera. When I started this novel, my first (half-joking) thought was: any novel where the first scene takes place at the opera *has* to be good! Thankfully, I was right, although for many reasons aside from that one.

[leschatsmusicale]

Thank you so much for sharing. I appreciate how you relate the story to your own personal experience. When the film came out in 1993, it mirrored something I was going through at the time in a really surreal way. I can't really go into details, but my situation was quite different from yours. The Age of Innocence became a touchstone for me to reflect back on what happened. My perspective on the story has changed a lot over the years. It amazes me how people take so many different views on the characters and the choices they made. It's so good to hear that your story had a happy outcome.

[callmeaftercoffee]

Oh my gosh. This video was so compelling! Your review made the book sound very interesting.

I'm so thankful to have a relationship with passion and not going to look elsewhere, met my husband when I was 15, married by 20, it's gone by so fast lol. But I'm so proud that you ended your relationship before you took it to the next place and so happy that you're happy now. It must have taken a lot of courage. 💕

[Robert.Sheard]

These Top125 reviews get better and better, Rick. I loved _The Age of Innocence_ when I read it last a decade ago. I really need to take that journey again.

[Uniuni]

I just found this video after watching The Age of Innocence movie. I thought this was just a video explaining the story better, but damn I didn’t expect your little rant at the end! I loved it! Great video!

[trawlins]

I can't believe I actually found a YouTuber reviewing classic books. 🙂🙂 I just watched the movie and loved it so much I immediately ordered the hardback. Can't wait to read it.

[GuiltyFeat]

As soon as I saw you praising Ethan Frome in your introduction to the 125 books project, I rushed over here to see your response to The Age of Innocence which, in this humble reader's opinion, piddles on Frome from a literary height.

I love that you connected to it so personally. I think it's an extraordinary book that I would press onto anyone. I also think that the film adaptation is Scorsese's finest hour and I'll gladly fight anyone who argues with me. Thanks for this and for your honesty.

[traceymills]

Oh my I loved this video. I adore this book and author and you just enlightened me as to why I do. I love your definition of a classic. I have never realised before but my favourites are those that I can see relate as much to society today as then. Thank you for a thoughtful, interesting summation.

[HardcoverHearts]

Ok- you had a new subscriber at “this book stirs some shit up”. Fantastic review and video.

[josmith]

If I could give this video a hundred thumbs up I would! How you went from talking about Age of Innocence to social media, to your experience and back again was masterful. Having your own private experience that is true to you beats what people think of you on social media any day.