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The Age of Innocence
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The Age of Innocence Unknown - 1993

by Wharton, Edith


About this book

Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence is set in upper-class New York City in the 1870s, during the so-called Gilded Age. The novel, which takes its title from artist Joshua Reynolds’ 1785 painting of a little girl, focuses on impending marriage of an upper-class couple: Newland Archer, a distinguished lawyer, and the shy, but lovely May Welland. Enter the bride's cousin, Ellen Olenska, plagued by a scandalous separation from her European husband, a Polish count. The presence of Ellen, a classic femme fatale, threatens the happiness of Newland and May. However, May’s determination must not be undermined as she proceeds to use everything in her power to ensure her marriage to Newland. Though the novel questions the assumptions and morals of the Gilded Age, it never explicitly condemns the era.

 …And perhaps it should have. The Age of Innocence won the 1921 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, making Wharton the first woman to win the prize; however, upon being awarded the honor, the novel was praised as “best present[ing] the wholesome atmosphere of American life and the highest standard of American manners and manhood.” Many claimed that even Wharton was taken aback when reviewers failed to see the irony of the title and her social criticism of 1870s New York society.

 Of the many film, television, and theatrical adaptations of The Age of Innocence, perhaps most notable is the 1993 film of the same name, directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Michelle Pfeiffer as Countess Ellen Olenska, Daniel Day-Lewis as Newland Archer, and Winona Ryder as May Welland Archer. The film won an Oscar for costume design and Ryder was not only nominated for an Oscar, but won a Golden Globe Award for her portrayal of May Welland Archer. 

The Age of Innocence is ranked 58th on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century and 45th on The Guardian’s list of the 100 best novels.

From the publisher

2 cassettes / 3 hours
Read by Kate Nelligan In gas-lit 1870s New York, when society people " dread scandal more than disease", affable and affluent Newland Archer is deeply troubled. Seemingly content to live out his years in a conventional and moribund marriage to May, he is forced to confront an overwhelming passion for the bizarre and challenging Countess Ellen Olenska. To follow such a passion would ut everything at risk - his family, his name, and his position in New York society. But is not an all-consuming love worth more than the superficial values of the elite . . ?

First Edition Identification

The original price of the book was marked at just $2.00, but first edition, first printings are currently valued at around $35,000 USD. First edition, first printings can be identified by the mark of "(1)" on the last page of text. Additionally, the phrase "Forasmuch as it hath please Almighty God" appears on page 186 of first printings, but the phrase is changed to "Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here" in later printings. It is believed that the original phrase is included in all first printings as well as some, but not all, of the second printings.

First edition, first printing copies originally had dust jackets featuring a picture of a small Victorian child, thought to be inspired by the child depicted in the 1785 painting by Joshua Reynolds, also titled The Age of Innocence. Wharton was known to sign and inscribe several copies of her work, and those copies of The Age of Innocence are highly valuable.

Details

  • Title The Age of Innocence
  • Author Wharton, Edith
  • Binding unknown
  • Edition AUDIO CASSETTES
  • Publisher Random House Audio, Westminster, Maryland, U.S.A.
  • Date 1993
  • ISBN 9780679419525
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Age of Innocence
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Age of Innocence

by Wharton, Edith;Nelligan, Kate

  • Used
  • good
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780679419525
ISBN 10
0679419527
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Narrowsburg, New York, United States
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This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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Westminster, Maryland, U.S.A.: Random House, 1993. Two audio cassettes in the printed box published by Random House audio. The box shows scuff shelf wear and edge wear. By contrast the tapes are in their own plastic containers. Tapes look sturdy and reliable. Former bookstore stickers to the front box. Enjoy this abridged audio performance.. Audio Book. Good.
Item Price
£2.43
£3.98 shipping to USA
Age of Innocence
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Age of Innocence

by Wharton, Edith;Nelligan, Kate

  • Used
  • good
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780679419525
ISBN 10
0679419527
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Narrowsburg, New York, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£3.24
£3.98 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Westminster, Maryland, U.S.A.: Random House Audio, 1993. Two audio cassettes. 2 reliable audio tapes in the original printed box. Some shelf wear to the box. Slight edge wear to the box. The tapes inside sit sturdy and presentable. Enjoy this abridged audio performance!. Audio Book. Good.
Item Price
£3.24
£3.98 shipping to USA
The Age of Innocence
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Age of Innocence

by Wharton, Edith

  • Used
  • good
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780679419525
ISBN 10
0679419527
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Narrowsburg, New York, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.83
£3.98 shipping to USA

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Description:
UNITED STATES: Random House Audio, 1993. Audio Book. Good. AUDIO CASSETTE. 2 AUDIO CASSETTES in the original printed box. Some shelf wear and edge wear to the box. Each Audio Cassette is tested, prior to shipping, for a reliable quality of sound. You will receive a good set. Enjoy this presentable performance on AUDIO CASSETTES..
Item Price
£4.83
£3.98 shipping to USA
The Age of Innocence
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Age of Innocence

by Wharton, Edith;Nelligan, Kate

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780679419525
ISBN 10
0679419527
Quantity Available
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Narrowsburg, New York, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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Westminster, Maryland, U.S.A.: Random House, 1993. 2 AUDIO CASSETTES Brand new. NEW in the shrink wrap. Gift quality. Enjoy this sealed audio cassette performance.. Audio Cassettes. New. Audio Book.
Item Price
£6.48
£3.98 shipping to USA
The Age of Innocence
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Age of Innocence

by Edith Wharton

  • Used
  • good
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 13
9780679419525
ISBN 10
0679419527
Quantity Available
1
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HOUSTON, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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£8.42
FREE shipping to USA

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Random House Audio, 1993-08-31. Audio Cassette. Good.
Item Price
£8.42
FREE shipping to USA