Intriguing

A fascinating and beautiful young woman who had for sometime been living it up on the largesse of the rich schemes that if she were to marry her equally penniless young male friend, together they might make such a desirable couple

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a lovely slow listen with depth

I wasn't expecting to love this, but it was really a satisfying listen with subtlety and depth. Excellently read
.

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wonderful moving book

susie the heroine of this story makes a life affirming journey. beautifully written and read.

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Worth a listen if you like a rattling good, if predictable, love story

A well constructed love story, lots of careful analysis of feelings partnered with the social pressures of the times and their expectations. I really enjoyed it. A cut above the current TV spectacular "The Guilded Âge." She was a gifted writer.

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2 people found this helpful

Obvious but Enjoyable

This story of American society progresses at a steady rate without great long, tedious passages of philosophical rambling that other authors seem to deem it necessary to pad out their novels, so that one can enjoy the tale even though the outcome is a foregone conclusion. I particularly liked the narrator 's portrayal of each character, even the dropping (mostly) of her accent to attempt an English aristocrat without descending to a ridiculous public schoolboy voice. Overall, worth a listen.

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1 person found this helpful

Unusual

Unusual story, definitely "food for thought".
An excellent portrayal of a life gone by - and the social climbers of the time.
Well narrated.

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1 person found this helpful

Wharton understands the human heart like no other.

The novel is of its own time and its glittering “set”, but also transcends that in a story not only of the subtlest suspense and plotting, but of the finest drawing of human scruples, weaknesses, and sentiments. Totally enthralling and faultlessly performed.

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The ugly voice of Audible spoils every book.

The bullfrog-like voice of audible bursts in the very second the novel ends, ruining the elgaic mood. However, I liked the reader's interpretation of Suzy, making her more playful and accessible than I had imagined. It's a charming book, an antidote to The House of Mirth and minus the anti-semitism.

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5 people found this helpful

Fascinating observation of characters

I loved this from the start. Kate Harper’s narration was beautiful - mellow and perfectly matched with the contemplative atmosphere of the story, and never intrusive. Wharton’s characterisation is superb; her acute observations of the little twists and turns of character development of the key players brings these people to life so vividly, they are totally convincing. I am looking forward to my next Wharton.

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A disappointment

The combination of an uneven narration and a weak ending made this novel disappointing. I hoped for a better storyline than this from Edith Wharton.
Why does correct pronounciation of foreign words seem so difficult, particularly to American narrators? There must be some expert guidance available but so many Audible books are spoiled in this way.
Kate Harper made all her female characters sound foolish and her male characters unreal. I almost gave up.

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