Book Review: The Age of Desire by Jennie Fields

The Age of Desire

Author: Jennie Fields
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books (August 2, 2012)
Amazon Link

Note: I received a review copy of this book free from Penguin, U.S.A. The review posted below is based on my personal thoughts while reading the book.

Ratings: ★ ★ ★ ★

My thoughts:

I liked the book but it took me weeks to finish the story. I don't know Edith Wharton (that much) but after reading the synopsis and some more little research about her, her sexless marriage and scandalous affair with someone younger than her, I thought Age of Desire could be that interesting to read.

Well, it was interesting at first. Took me only 2 days to reach half of the book and then few more pages after that, it went from interesting read to frustrating read. Knowing more about Anna and Teddy, oh how I hated Edith. It's sad to know that Edith never loved her husband. It even came to a point where I was looking for more Anna's and Teddy' story in the book because I didn't find Edith's life worth reading, (sorry had to be honest here) I mean her affair with that man... it wasn't romantic. Not at all.  I tried to find one sensible reason why she loved Morton uhm I see nothing to like about him. Morton (+ Edith) and I just didn't connect all throughout the book. And that's frustrating... 

Overall, I'd still give this 4-star for the writing and for Anna's/Teddy's story. To read positive reviews for the book, click HERE.

About the book:

For fans of The Paris Wife, a sparkling glimpse into the life of Edith Wharton and the scandalous love affair that threatened her closest friendship.

They say behind every great man is a woman. Behind Edith Wharton, there was Anna Bahlmann—her governess turned literary secretary, and her mothering, nurturing friend.

When at the age of forty-five, Edith falls passionately in love with a dashing younger journalist, Morton Fullerton, and is at last opened to the world of the sensual, it threatens everything certain in her life but especially her abiding friendship with Anna. As Edith’s marriage crumbles and Anna’s disapproval threatens to shatter their lifelong bond, the women must face the fragility at the heart of all friendships.

Told through the points of view of both women, The Age of Desire takes us on a vivid journey through Wharton’s early Gilded Age world: Paris with its glamorous literary salons and dark secret cafés, the Whartons’ elegant house in Lenox, Massachusetts, and Henry James’s manse in Rye, England.

Edith’s real letters and intimate diary entries are woven throughout the book. The Age of Desire brings to life one of literature’s most beloved writers, whose own story was as complex and nuanced as that of any of the heroines she created.

About the author:

I love books and longed to start writing them when I was six years old. I wrote my first full- length novel in third grade. It was 365 pages! My teacher didn't have time to read it. As I am less wordy now, I hope you will find the time to read my books.

My new novel, The Age of Desire is based on the life and loves of my favorite novelist: Edith Wharton. Wharton's characters feel as real to me as the people I know. I hope that I've brought Wharton alive on the page, as well as her friend, Anna Bahlmann, her lover, Morton Fullerton, her husband, Teddy Wharton and last but not least, the inimitable Henry James. 

You'll see a Book Club tab on my website if you'd like me to meet with your book club. I'm happy to do it in person if possible, or via Skype or phone for those farther away. I look forward to sharing my books with you. Please visit my website,  http://jenniefields.com/ and let me know what you think of my books.