In ‘Old New York’ by Edith Wharton, readers are transported back to the Gilded Age of New York City through a collection of four novellas detailing the lives of the elite social circles. Wharton’s meticulous attention to detail and insightful social commentary brings to life the opulence and hypocrisy of the time period. Her elegant prose and astute observations on class distinctions and societal expectations make this a classic work of American literature that continues to resonate with readers today. Each novella in the collection offers a unique glimpse into the lives of the wealthy and privileged, shedding light on the complexities and contradictions of their world. Edith Wharton, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author known for her novels exploring class and societal norms, draws upon her own experiences as a member of the upper class to craft these compelling narratives. Her keen insight into human nature and the dynamics of high society make ‘Old New York’ a must-read for those interested in rich and nuanced depictions of the past.
About the author
Edith Wharton, born Edith Newbold Jones on January 24, 1862, in New York City, was a luminary of American literature during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Arising from a wealthy and distinguished family, the saying ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ is rumored to reference her socialite family’s affluence. Wharton broke through the confinements of her upper-class upbringing and the limited roles available to women in her era to become a celebrated novelist, short story writer, and designer. In her illustrious career, Wharton penned more than forty books over forty years, including ‘The Age of Innocence, ‘ for which she became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1921. Her narratives often explored the intersection of the individual and the rigid standards of the societal milieu, which she richly depicted with psychological depth and keen social insight. Her novella collection ‘Old New York’ is a remarkable illustration of this, being an evocative portrait of New York society across the latter half of the 19th century. Wharton’s literary style exudes elegance and incisive wit, with an acute portrayal of the internal and external conflicts faced by her characters. She passed away on August 11, 1937, in France, leaving a legacy of works that continue to resonate and reflect the complexities of the human condition.
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