Old New York [Paperback]

Edith Wharton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1998

The four novellas collected here take place in the New York of the 1840s, '50s, '60s, and '70s. Each reveals the codes and customs that ruled society of that time, drawn with the perspicacious eye and style that is uniquely Wharton's. Novellas include "False Dawn, The Old Maid, The Spark" and "New Year's Day".

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

First published in 1924, Wharton's collection of four short novels reveals the customs and social orders of mid-19th-century New York.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

This is another in the new Scribner Paperback Fiction line of classics (see Classic Returns, LJ 3/1/95). This 1924 volume contains Wharton's novellas False Dawn, The Old Maid, The Spark, and New Year's Day, which portray New York from the 1840s to 1870s.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Pocket; Reprint edition (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671023365
• ISBN-13: 978-0671023362
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,250,512 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Old Stories That Aren't Old, January 31, 2000

By 

Julius "Avid Reader" (Rego Park, NY, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Old New York (Paperback)

I have just finished reading the four exquisite novellas in this set by Edith Wharton and, after drying the tears, I am ready to say that I was inthe company of genius. These stories, not just for women, are written about a time when manners and feelings counted. A time when things were slower, more thoughtful, people communicated, and issues to be dealt with were..these are the things Edith Wharton wrote about. The stories deal with topics people are still dealing with today in our so-called new age and new economy. But how they deal with their issues and how they relate can teach us a lot. Read these stories, weep, and learn. They are nothing short of magnificent!

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Wharton Collection, January 9, 2003

By 

Westley (Stuck in my head) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Old New York (Paperback)

This collection of 4 novellas is not one of Edith Wharton's best or best known books; however, OLD NEW YORK is a wonderful and varied good read. The best known of these stories is probably the OLD MAID, which was made into a 1939 movie starring Bette Davis. It chronicles the complex relationsip between cousins who join together to hide the origins of an orphan. I also really enjoyed NEW YEAR'S DAY, which tells of a young adulturous woman and the ramificantions her actions have on her entire life. The story reminded me a bit of THE AGE OF INNOCENCE in its heroine's sacrificing her life for the sake of appearances. THE SPARK is also terrific, but a bit stagey. It tells of a young man's fascination with an older successful man who is seen as a bit silly by others. Unfortunately, the book jacket (included on this site also) gives away a bit too much. The other story, FALSE DAWN, I found to be too predictable, and the writing was rather stilted. FALSE DAWN is the first story in this collection; if you find yourself not enjoying this story, stick with the book...it gets better!

Overall, this collection is likely to please fans of Edith Wharton and people who enjoy American literature from the early 20th century. Wharton is an superb author of the finest caliber, and I look forward to reading more of her books.

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The story-telling talents of Edith Warthon!, August 29, 2000

By 

CoffeeGurl - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Old New York (Paperback)

There is no doubt about it. Edith Warthon -- the stunning creator of amazing novels like The Age of Innocence and The House of Mirth -- had outdone herself with Old New York. The four novellas in Old New York have similar themes: infidelity, jealousy and the always intriguing class system. I love all the stories, but I particularly like "New Year's Day," which focuses on an adulterous woman. I marvel at the fact that this story had probably caused some controversy in those times. I also enjoyed "False Down" and "The Old Maid." I know that this particular book is not as popular as -- oh, I don't know -- The Age of Innocence, but the timeless quality in the stories is definitely memorable. If you haven't given this wonderful book a whirl, please do!