📚 Books to Read After Gilded Age
Just finished gilded age? Here are 5 magical next reads curated just for you:
📘 The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
Rating: 3.94 / 5 (125,978 ratings), Published: 1920
When to read it: When you're craving a glimpse into the intricacies of societal expectations and personal desires.
Set in the same era as "Gilded Age," this novel delves into the rigid social norms and forbidden love in old New York society. Wharton's elegant prose and keen observations on human nature make it a compelling exploration of duty, honor, and passion.
Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Classic Literature
After reading: Readers will appreciate the timeless themes of love, sacrifice, and the constraints of social conventions, resonating with the nuanced portrayal of human relationships.
📘 The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
Rating: 3.95 / 5 (83,436 ratings), Published: 1905
When to read it: When you're in the mood for a tragic yet captivating tale of a woman navigating the complexities of high society.
Following the life of Lily Bart, a young socialite whose beauty and wit are overshadowed by the unwritten rules of New York's elite, this novel offers a poignant commentary on the consequences of ambition and societal pressure. Wharton's sharp insights and vivid characterizations make this a compelling and thought-provoking read.
Genres: Classic Literature, Drama, Social Commentary
After reading: Readers will be left contemplating the price of conformity, the impact of one's choices, and the illusion of social status, all while empathizing with the complexities of human nature.
📘 The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton
Rating: 3.88 / 5 (12,564 ratings), Published: 1913
When to read it: While craving a story that delves into the relentless pursuit of wealth and status at any cost.
With a narrative centered on Undine Spragg, a young woman determined to climb the social ladder through marriage and manipulation, this novel shines a critical light on the consequences of unbridled ambition and societal expectations. Wharton's astute observations and scathing commentary provide a compelling exploration of greed, love, and the pursuit of happiness.
Genres: Classic Literature, Satire, Social Commentary
After reading: Readers will find themselves reflecting on themes of materialism, the true nature of happiness, and the consequences of valuing ambition over authenticity in a society driven by social hierarchies.
📘 Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Rating: 4.05 / 5 (678,772 ratings), Published: 1877
When to read it: When you're drawn to a sweeping tale of love, betrayal, and societal expectations.
Tolstoy's masterpiece delves into the lives of multiple characters, including the titular Anna Karenina, exploring themes of love, fidelity, and the consequences of defying societal norms. This Russian classic offers a profound meditation on the complexities of human relationships, duty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Genres: Classic Literature, Romance, Tragedy
After reading: Readers will be left contemplating the boundaries of love and duty, the consequences of societal judgment, and the intricacies of human desires, resonating with the poignant portrayal of characters navigating the complexities of their lives.
📘 The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Rating: 3.80 / 5 (43,322 ratings), Published: 1922
When to read it: In search of a captivating exploration of the disillusionment that comes with the pursuit of wealth and luxury.
Fitzgerald's second novel follows the glamorous yet tumultuous lives of Anthony Patch and his wife Gloria, capturing the allure and emptiness of the Jazz Age lifestyle. Through vivid prose and poignant character development, this book offers a compelling reflection on the transient nature of wealth, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness.
Genres: Classic Literature, Jazz Age, Drama
After reading: Readers will reflect on the fleeting nature of material success, the complexities of human relationships, and the ultimate price of indulgence, resonating with the characters' search for meaning and fulfillment in a world of excess and decadence.