The Old Maid

By: Edith Wharton

Narrated by: Eleanor Bron

Length: 2 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

The story follows the life of Tina, a young woman caught between the mother who adopted her - the beautiful, upstanding Delia - and her true mother, her plain, unmarried ‘aunt’ Charlotte, who gave Tina up to provide her with a socially acceptable life.

The three women live quietly together until Tina’s wedding day, when Delia’s and Charlotte’s hidden jealousies rush to the surface. Originally serialized in The Red Book magazine in 1922, The Old Maid is an examination of class and society as only Edith Wharton could undertake.

©2010 BBC Audiobooks Ltd (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

lovely read!

Richly described the values, expectations, biases, interrelationships and manners of a different age.

Nothing New Under the Sun

Unwanted pregnancy happened in the 18th century too. Edith Wharton is an excellent story teller and she portrayed the lives of two cousins raising an orphaned child with empathy and understanding. Enjoyable to read a classic every now and then.

Good short read

Edith Wharton always delivers, with a great story and deep characters. This book is no exception. It's a joy to enter the world of that era.

You've come a long way baby

I am old enough to remember stories like this, most of them did not have a happy ending. I liked the way the story drew me in.

A Little Gem

As her wedding day approaches, Charlotte Lowell reveals a long-hidden secret to her married cousin, Delia Ralston: the foundling that she has been visiting as a charity project is actually her own daughter, born as the result of a brief affair with one of Delia's former beaux. (Don't worry--no spoilers; this is something you learn in the first few chapters, and I promise to give nothing else away.) The reactions, decisions, and solutions that follow will deeply affect the lives of the two women, as well as that of the little girl, Tina.

As so often, Wharton sets her story in upper crust New York society at the end of the nineteenth century, a world propelled by money, property, lineage, and rigid rules of etiquette. But the most interesting aspect of The Old Maid is the shifting relationship between the cousins, Delia and "Chatty" (Charlotte). Wharton delves deep into their psychology, exploring their fears, resentments, and motivations over the course of twenty years, all of them revolving around the often conflicting values of maternal love and family loyalties. This is, as another reviewer noted, a sentimental story--but not in a maudlin, melodramatic way. I consider it a fine addition to my Wharton shelf.

On the reader: The thing that bothered me most was that she made Charlotte sound like a very old lady--even when she was supposed to be in her 20s.

Classic Edith W

Enjoyed this little gem.
Calm, self- assured narration much appreciated . More of these shorts would be most welcome by me

This Book Is A Movie

I saw the movie of this book when I was a little girl. It stared Betty Davis. Good memories at that time for me.

Classic Wharton

Excellent story and one of Wharton's best for quickly moving plot and characters accessible to modern readers. Narration was seamless!

Enjoyable

I'm glad this book was brought to my attention by the daily deal. The contraints of social pressure controlled life with an iron hand in society of that era.

Loved it!

From a past era but full of meaningful lessons on love, dignity, and doing the best for others despite one's perceived "needs".