Anonymous
12/17/2025 15:04
Subject: Re:The Age of Innocence - Countess Ellen Olenska
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I love this book and have read it three times. I've felt a little differently each time, but in general I agree with you. Ellen Olenska is there as an "other" - a representative of a different life, a non-traditional life, an opportunity - and as such, she isn't quite as fully fleshed out as a character as she could be.
The first time I read this I was wildly annoyed that the story is told from Newland Archer's POV, but in subsequent readings I was so impressed with how Wharton shows exactly what May and Ellen are thinking and experiencing even through Newland's clueless POV. I would love a retelling in May's voice.
That is a great point about the perceptions through Newland's POV. And yes, clueless. Also a brat but that is obvious.
I am now reading Old New York which makes references to some of the families in Age of Innocence. I agree that written through May's perspective would have been amazing.
NP and I love Old New York.
Anonymous
12/17/2025 14:23
Subject: Re:The Age of Innocence - Countess Ellen Olenska
Anonymous wrote:I love this book and have read it three times. I've felt a little differently each time, but in general I agree with you. Ellen Olenska is there as an "other" - a representative of a different life, a non-traditional life, an opportunity - and as such, she isn't quite as fully fleshed out as a character as she could be.
The first time I read this I was wildly annoyed that the story is told from Newland Archer's POV, but in subsequent readings I was so impressed with how Wharton shows exactly what May and Ellen are thinking and experiencing even through Newland's clueless POV. I would love a retelling in May's voice.
That is a great point about the perceptions through Newland's POV. And yes, clueless. Also a brat but that is obvious.
I am now reading Old New York which makes references to some of the families in Age of Innocence. I agree that written through May's perspective would have been amazing.
Anonymous
12/16/2025 09:50
Subject: Re:The Age of Innocence - Countess Ellen Olenska
I love this book and have read it three times. I've felt a little differently each time, but in general I agree with you. Ellen Olenska is there as an "other" - a representative of a different life, a non-traditional life, an opportunity - and as such, she isn't quite as fully fleshed out as a character as she could be.
The first time I read this I was wildly annoyed that the story is told from Newland Archer's POV, but in subsequent readings I was so impressed with how Wharton shows exactly what May and Ellen are thinking and experiencing even through Newland's clueless POV. I would love a retelling in May's voice.
The first time I read this I was wildly annoyed that the story is told from Newland Archer's POV, but in subsequent readings I was so impressed with how Wharton shows exactly what May and Ellen are thinking and experiencing even through Newland's clueless POV. I would love a retelling in May's voice.
Anonymous
12/15/2025 17:26
Subject: The Age of Innocence - Countess Ellen Olenska
I just finished reading this. I found Countess Olenska to be an annoying brat. Once I was done I came to the internet to commiserate with others online about this but it seems my viewpoint is not common. At least in my initial perusing people though she was done wrong and was keeping it real. I actually LIKED May and I found her less of a schemer than the Countess. I think it is because I never understood what the Countess saw in Newland and thought she was just using him for her own ego or some sort of competition with her cousin. I don't see her as the victim either. Anyone else get this or am I reading it all wrong?