Reviews

The Old Maid (The 'Fifties) by Edith Wharton

sarahcoller's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

In my attempt to read more American authors and also to give Wharton a try after my slogging through Ethan Frome several years ago, I decided to read this short story. It was very sad and I didn't at all like how it ended. However, I've got to give her props for addressing this subject at a time when people just didn't talk about these things, and also for really understanding the heart of the disillusioned wife. While I didn't like the story, my esteem for Wharton has gone up the tiniest bit and I'm willing to try something else short by her. She has an Austen-esque feeling to her writing --- telling stories about the people she knew in the setting she knew them --- and sarcastically pointing out their character flaws. While Wharton goes a little darker and deeper than Austen, the intent is similar and it made me respect her. Maybe I should reread Ethan Frome...

bosquedemel's review

I love Wharton's writing and the glimpse into the New York high society of her time that her books offer. This novella is no exception, dealing with a topic I personally like, so it was a pleasant read. Also mentions some characters that appear in The Age of Innocence. 

indoorswoman's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

pachypedia's review against another edition

4.0

Un relato breve pero intenso, sin que realmente pase nada consigue transmitir muchas cosas. Siempre me sorprende ver pensamientos tan feministas en libros clásicos, que, aunque en esta ocasión puede que no sean revolucionarios, sino como dice el postfacio, que aquí Wharton se dedica a observar a su alrededor y reflejar lo que ve.

cinthyaolguin17's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

philipe's review against another edition

Fantastic read!

melpomel's review against another edition

4.0

Lalo González-Cotta, traductora de la novela, dice en su posfacio: "Los ataques de Wharton contra los anacronismos que encorsetan a la mujer son, insisto, recurrentes a lo largo de toda su obra, pero quizá sea en esta novela donde le suelta más hilo a la que sería su mayor obsesión: la discrepancia entre el papel que debía desempeñar la mujer en la sociedad de los siglos precedentes y su derecho a realizarse como ser humano autónomo. En 1890, la propia Wharton sufriría una severa crisis nerviosa derivada de la tensión provocada por las presiones de quienes quisieron cortarla por el patrón de matrona social y su instintiva querencia por una 'habitación propia'".
Nada más que declarar.

ipb1's review against another edition

4.0

Quietly moving, and forensic in its dissection of the crippling hypocrisies of 19thC morals and mores.

miriamvd's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

dryanee's review against another edition

5.0

Wow. Me declaro fan de la autora. Me ha enamorado esta novela y la manera de escribir de Wharton