The Evening Readers Book Club discussion of Jennie Fields’ The Age of Desire began with a show of hands of how many members liked the book. Most did, and a few said they loved it. Some were put off by the content and did not finish reading it.
Members who liked the story were not happy with the selfish and indulgent behavior of practically all of the main characters, especially Edith Wharton. She was careless and carefree in the pursuit of a passionate relationship with an unsympathetic lover at the expense of her marriage and respect of her one lifelong, true friend and confidant. It was decided that Edith’s behavior was typical of the time period, the Gilded Age, and her place in it as a wealthy woman and famous writer. People are a product of their times and unacceptable and uncomfortable behavior today would have been tolerated and even recognized as normal then.
It was decided that the book was not a chick book, but was true historical fiction and for the most part an accurate representation of a particular time frame in the life of Edith Wharton. Members were satisfied with the epilog and Edith’s life after she ended her affair with the journalist William Fullerton and divorced her husband. Finally she dedicates herself and her resources to find fulfillment in helping others. She also realizes what a great friendship and collaboration her former governess Anna brought to her life. Sadly, she came to this realization very late in life and did not have much time to make up for her neglect.
All were fascinated with pictures of The Mount -- Edith’s grand country place in Lenox, Massachusetts -- and the connection with Brockton, Mass. The Mount has been fully restored and is a tourist destination with lovely gardens and an enormous mansion.
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