ALReview-0048
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THE AGE OF INNOCENCE by Edith Wharton.
Apart from one member who really did not like this book at all, the rest of us thought this was a very good read, beautifully written and a very perceptive observation and insight into mid- nineteenth century New York society. The book traces the lives of some upper-class New York families, prisoners of their own society, but determined to uphold the hypocritical and rigid rules of conduct which they thought were imperative for survival. Stability of 'the clan' fulfilling the social expectations of the day was all that mattered. The characters were well developed with clearly defined voices and I think (apart from one) we all thought the book was multi-layered providing much to discuss.