This was such a lovely and sad read - I've read all of Wharton (as a James follower how could I not?) and appreciate how much of her emotional experience she poured into her characters. Just the mention of Newland Archer makes me cringe. What a selfish bastard he is, isn't he? Even at the end, he does what is best for his own ego. Ellen and May have to alter their lives to accommodate him (or rather, to force him to behave) because he can't control himself. He never does learn.
Thank you, Kerry! I think that’s right, her own emotional experiences (and much bitterness) went into those novels. Re Innocence, I think that both May and Ellen bested Newland—he thought he was the worldly, intelligent man, but in the end he didn’t see that May was more socially astute than he ever knew. And Ellen got freedom, in a way, with her life in Paris. (A la Wharton herself, who also gained a more free life for herself in France) I also think that Innocence was kind of a rewriting of James’ The Ambassadors.
I get a lot of The Golden Bowl in it, too - with the Prince just thinking that Maggie is so cluelessly innocent about his affair with Charlotte, and how Maggie has to (and chooses to) give up her father to get rid of Charlotte. I think May really loved Ellen and resented Newland for pushing her out of their lives - if Newland could have just controlled himself and left Ellen alone, Ellen could have stayed in New York and been with May. There’s definitely a lot of James in Wharton’s works, but I don’t agree with some critics that she is just a copycat. She has so much of her own feelings and experiences, and of course, from a women’s perspective, to offer in her fiction.
Agree that there’s a lot of James in her work. And definitely not a copycat! She worked with some similar themes but she didn’t need the Europeans as the corrupters of the American characters (though I guess Ellen Olenska was betrayed, etc. by the count, a little like Isabel Archer) as James liked to do.
Beautiful!! I visited The Mount back in 2013 and it’s still so vivid in my mind. It’s such a beautiful, moving place and I feel one of Wharton’s masterpieces, alongside her best novels.
We read Mirth and Innocence in my book club here in substack earlier this year! I love Wharton so much and really enjoyed your post here about her gorgeous home.
Thank you! And that’s a great way to think of The Mount, as one of her masterpieces. I love Wharton too and will go back and read your book club-related posts!
What an interesting snapshot of this incredible literary figure. The photos of the mount are gorgeous. I think was most struck by the fact she wrote from bed! If only I had that luxury. Thanks for sharing this insider's look.
You have inspired me to re-read The Age of Innocence, Sarah - and I LOVE the Henry James quote in your hugely enjoyable post. Must try and book a research trip/conference/holiday in the Berkshires one of these days, so I can visit the Mount.
I tried to visit The Mount several years ago and was heartbroken when I arrived and the house and gardens were closed for a wedding - so thank you for this tour. I also loved learning that Edith Wharton wrote in bed - I had no idea, but it makes me love her more!
You continue to amaze me with your fascinating historical writings! Of course, now I must visit The Mount, which will take some planning, coming from the Pacific Northwest. I love the beautiful garden pictures, and can imagine strolling around on the grounds. I recently picked up a copy of Age of Innocence, so that will be my next read. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Barb! And the gardens alone are worth a visit. Also, the next town over from Lenox (where The Mount is) is Stockbridge, a fun place to stay for the weekend.
Fascinating. I do wonder about the story of Ogden has the first architect and why a second one was needed. I suspect there may have been some quiet drama behind the scenes. The photos are wonderful and much as I had imagined her world to have been writing there. Those gardens!
The gardens are incredible, worth a visit in their own right. Re the architects, yes, that’s a whole other story. As I understand it, Edith and Teddy fired Ogden for not being attuned to all the details, but I suspect Teddy was being unreasonable and difficult—too many dynamics. It was a letter from Ogden during the house-building that first clued scholars in to Teddy’s mental illness.
I suspected such triangulation at play with the architects. And imagine her loyalties torn as she loved the place as much if not more than she loved Teddy.
Yes! She published short stories and poems in her 30s, but she published her novels after 40. And her best one (in my view), The Age of Innocence, around age 60.
Yes! She was a midlife author! She wrote from childhood on, mostly poetry, but I think it was that 1900 letter from Henry James that gave her her subject and the confidence to write those novels.
I know, right? He was pretty picky, but when he liked something (like Sargent portraits), he REALLY liked it. And he did encourage younger writers like Wharton.
Nice to reread some of these details of Wharton’s mid-life and marriage. It’s been awhile! And thanks for sharing the pictures. I have yet to visit the Mount. Have only done so vicariously. Your explanation of the project is appreciated!
I must go back to Wharton, whom I haven’t read since Ethan Frome in my teens. Now, there was a tale of bitter thwarting and failure. As always, Sarah, your photos beautifully complement your words.
I think Ethan Frome put generations of readers off Wharton. In The Age of Innocence, there is some thwarting, but it’s a very readable novel, and it’s not a tragedy like The House of Mirth. I think The Age of Innocence might be her version of a Henry James novel, maybe a mashup of Portrait of a Lady and The Ambassadors.
This was such a lovely and sad read - I've read all of Wharton (as a James follower how could I not?) and appreciate how much of her emotional experience she poured into her characters. Just the mention of Newland Archer makes me cringe. What a selfish bastard he is, isn't he? Even at the end, he does what is best for his own ego. Ellen and May have to alter their lives to accommodate him (or rather, to force him to behave) because he can't control himself. He never does learn.
Thank you, Kerry! I think that’s right, her own emotional experiences (and much bitterness) went into those novels. Re Innocence, I think that both May and Ellen bested Newland—he thought he was the worldly, intelligent man, but in the end he didn’t see that May was more socially astute than he ever knew. And Ellen got freedom, in a way, with her life in Paris. (A la Wharton herself, who also gained a more free life for herself in France) I also think that Innocence was kind of a rewriting of James’ The Ambassadors.
I get a lot of The Golden Bowl in it, too - with the Prince just thinking that Maggie is so cluelessly innocent about his affair with Charlotte, and how Maggie has to (and chooses to) give up her father to get rid of Charlotte. I think May really loved Ellen and resented Newland for pushing her out of their lives - if Newland could have just controlled himself and left Ellen alone, Ellen could have stayed in New York and been with May. There’s definitely a lot of James in Wharton’s works, but I don’t agree with some critics that she is just a copycat. She has so much of her own feelings and experiences, and of course, from a women’s perspective, to offer in her fiction.
Agree that there’s a lot of James in her work. And definitely not a copycat! She worked with some similar themes but she didn’t need the Europeans as the corrupters of the American characters (though I guess Ellen Olenska was betrayed, etc. by the count, a little like Isabel Archer) as James liked to do.
Also I never thought until this moment about Isabel Archer and Newland Archer sharing a last name!
Beautiful!! I visited The Mount back in 2013 and it’s still so vivid in my mind. It’s such a beautiful, moving place and I feel one of Wharton’s masterpieces, alongside her best novels.
We read Mirth and Innocence in my book club here in substack earlier this year! I love Wharton so much and really enjoyed your post here about her gorgeous home.
Thank you! And that’s a great way to think of The Mount, as one of her masterpieces. I love Wharton too and will go back and read your book club-related posts!
What an interesting snapshot of this incredible literary figure. The photos of the mount are gorgeous. I think was most struck by the fact she wrote from bed! If only I had that luxury. Thanks for sharing this insider's look.
Thanks, Sharon! She was incredible, and it took her a long time to get to that place. Good reminder for all us writers! (Marathon not sprint, etc.)
You have inspired me to re-read The Age of Innocence, Sarah - and I LOVE the Henry James quote in your hugely enjoyable post. Must try and book a research trip/conference/holiday in the Berkshires one of these days, so I can visit the Mount.
That’s great, and I’ve been rereading The Age of Innocence too. I love the HJ quote too, and she indeed followed his advice!
Forgot to say that there’s lots to see in the Berkshires, writer-wise, and you could combine it with a trip to Concord, MA, and Boston.
I tried to visit The Mount several years ago and was heartbroken when I arrived and the house and gardens were closed for a wedding - so thank you for this tour. I also loved learning that Edith Wharton wrote in bed - I had no idea, but it makes me love her more!
Oh, I’m sorry you missed it! That would be so disappointing. And yes,she wrote in bed, longhand, in loose sheets of paper.
You continue to amaze me with your fascinating historical writings! Of course, now I must visit The Mount, which will take some planning, coming from the Pacific Northwest. I love the beautiful garden pictures, and can imagine strolling around on the grounds. I recently picked up a copy of Age of Innocence, so that will be my next read. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Barb! And the gardens alone are worth a visit. Also, the next town over from Lenox (where The Mount is) is Stockbridge, a fun place to stay for the weekend.
Fascinating. I do wonder about the story of Ogden has the first architect and why a second one was needed. I suspect there may have been some quiet drama behind the scenes. The photos are wonderful and much as I had imagined her world to have been writing there. Those gardens!
The gardens are incredible, worth a visit in their own right. Re the architects, yes, that’s a whole other story. As I understand it, Edith and Teddy fired Ogden for not being attuned to all the details, but I suspect Teddy was being unreasonable and difficult—too many dynamics. It was a letter from Ogden during the house-building that first clued scholars in to Teddy’s mental illness.
I suspected such triangulation at play with the architects. And imagine her loyalties torn as she loved the place as much if not more than she loved Teddy.
Yes! This could be its own novel!
I'm a huge Wharton fan and loved reading this. I didn't realize her novels were published in her 40s! Very inspiring. Thank you!
Yes! She published short stories and poems in her 30s, but she published her novels after 40. And her best one (in my view), The Age of Innocence, around age 60.
Love reading that she didn't start writing novels until 40!
Yes! She was a midlife author! She wrote from childhood on, mostly poetry, but I think it was that 1900 letter from Henry James that gave her her subject and the confidence to write those novels.
I never think of Henry James as a cheerleader. :)
I know, right? He was pretty picky, but when he liked something (like Sargent portraits), he REALLY liked it. And he did encourage younger writers like Wharton.
Nice to reread some of these details of Wharton’s mid-life and marriage. It’s been awhile! And thanks for sharing the pictures. I have yet to visit the Mount. Have only done so vicariously. Your explanation of the project is appreciated!
Thanks, Etta! And re visiting The Mount, the gardens alone are worth a visit.
I love The Mount. It’s about 20 minutes from where I live.
Often, I go and journal in the garden. I was so honored to do a reading during my book tour. Thank you for writing about this special place.
The gardens are spectacular, and so well cared for! And how wonderful to do a reading at The Mount!
PS I wanted to go hear Natalie Dykstra and Lauren Groff this summer, but neither date worked out for me.
I was there! Next time you are in the Berkshires, please reach out.
I'll do that! Hope to get back there next summer.
I love this! And I never sit at my writing desk either :)
Thanks, Jen! And same—I write in bed or at the kitchen table. Maybe we’re channeling EW!
Haha, yes! Or maybe authors don't really write at their desks, but we all have them for comfort and publicity photos!
I’m curious about the writers who actually do write at their desks!
I must go back to Wharton, whom I haven’t read since Ethan Frome in my teens. Now, there was a tale of bitter thwarting and failure. As always, Sarah, your photos beautifully complement your words.
I think Ethan Frome put generations of readers off Wharton. In The Age of Innocence, there is some thwarting, but it’s a very readable novel, and it’s not a tragedy like The House of Mirth. I think The Age of Innocence might be her version of a Henry James novel, maybe a mashup of Portrait of a Lady and The Ambassadors.