The Custom of the Country

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Wharton.
Review: 'The Custom of the Country' is really the only Edith Wharton novel that could properly be translated into film. Whereas her other novels tend to rely on interior machinations and subtle nuances that are hard to convey on the screeen, this story is a plain tale of a woman who wants more - and always more. This kind of story is not hard to convey through action, and hence its suitability for a movie. However, despite this "action" orientation, I will qualify my claims by saying that that there are some aspects of the novel that do not make it an easy matter to bring this Pulitzer prize winning author's work to the big screen. Edith Wharton develops her characters, as usual, to a fine point, making them far more than two dimensional. Throughout the novel, the heroine or rather the protagonist, is maintained as a greedy adventuress, but yet, at moments, she also manages to evoke our sympathy. Bestowing a primary character with such an ambiguous appeal is a hard job, but Ms. Wharton carried it off with her usual aplomb. This novel is an excellent read, and if you are looking for a less depressing work of Wharton's (comparitively speaking that is), this is probably the way to go. I would not go quite as far as the reviewer before me in saying that the end result for the heroine is contentment, but I would agree that she leaves behind a tale of destruction and misery unbeknownest to her - a kind of pathetic ignorance that helps Wharton in the difficult job of maintaining mixed feelings for her heroine.

Rating:
Summary: A story not told often enough
Review: A beautiful woman trapped by her own superficial values, riding her beauty along a path to all the expected goals. Society encouraged her (or didn't condemn) in these pursuits until she ultimately reached the end the novel demands of itself. Wharton manages to entrap the reader despite a host of (realistic) characters all too human to respect or admire. As always, Edith Wharton has done a marvelous job for her readers. Every woman cursed with beauty should read this work, but so should everyone else.

Rating:
Summary: A story not told often enough
Review: A beautiful woman trapped by her own superficial values, riding her beauty along a path to all the expected goals. Society encouraged her (or didn't condemn) in these pursuits until she ultimately reached the end the novel demands of itself. Wharton manages to entrap the reader despite a host of (realistic) characters all too human to respect or admire. As always, Edith Wharton has done a marvelous job for her readers. Every woman cursed with beauty should read this work, but so should everyone else.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: A stunning, ruthless indictment of crass materialism and American disregard for the traditions and values of other countries. It's hard to believe this was written before WW1.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: A stunning, ruthless indictment of crass materialism and American disregard for the traditions and values of other countries. It's hard to believe this was written before WW1.

Rating:
Summary: Appalling!
Review: As a random selection from my massive backlog of 'To Read' books, this one was more than worth the effort. In addition to simply being a good read, I recommend this as a gift to those shallow and grasping people on your gift list. A very gripping novel overall but it loses a star for the very slow buildup. Not a good place to START your survey of great literature but wise investment for the well-established reader well into their reading list.

Rating:
Summary: Appalling!
Review: As a random selection from my massive backlog of `To Read' books, this one was more than worth the effort. In addition to simply being a good read, I recommend this as a gift to those shallow and grasping people on your gift list. A very gripping novel overall but it loses a star for the very slow buildup. Not a good place to START your survey of great literature but wise investment for the well-established reader well into their reading list.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing-not one of her best works.
Review: Being an avid Edith Wharton reader, I was looking forward to yet another brilliant and engaging portrayal of the New York of the past. Yet this book did not deliver what I was looking for. For starters, it was excessively long. Much of the description seemed very unecessary, and aided only in dragging out the heart of the story. And second, and most importantly, the main character was unlikable. In most books, the main character is either someone you can respect and admire or someone you loathe, yet are intrigued by and can feel some empathy towards. In this case, however, the main character-though dispicable-did little to evoke any emotion or thought. I found it very difficult to maintain an interest in the book without having any interest in her. If you enjoy Edith Wharton's writing, give it a try. There is much of her usual style apparent throughout. But if you have never read one of her books, this one should not be your starting point. It is by far her worst.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Crudely written. A negative hero deserves better and Wharton has written some fine books. Sadly, not this one.

Rating:
Summary: She Just Turns Out Masterpieces!
Review: Edith Wharton is certainly one of the most accomplished authors in American history. I don't think there is ONE of her books that I don't completely LOVE. And, "Custom of the Country" is certainly one for the record books. Wharton creates a completely new and different novel in "Custom" than in her previous books. As in the others, you may have found yourself really cheering or rooting for the main characters. You felt affection and fondness for them. But, in this one could you have found more fault with Undine? She's everything a reader should just loath. But, for some strange and heartwarming reason, you don't care. You move past that and just enjoy this wonderfully written American Masterpiece. Wharton's gift for words, story and characterization is fabulous. I just love her. She's one of my top 3 favs.