The Age of Innocence

By: Edith Wharton

Narrated by: Joanne Woodward

A masterful portrait of desire and betrayal that takes place during the sumptuous Gilded Age, The Age of Innocence questions the morals and assumptions of elite 1870s New York society when "scandal was more dreaded than disease." Newland Archer, gentleman lawyer and heir to one of New York City's best families, is happily anticipating a highly desirable marriage to the beautiful but conventional May Welland—until May's exotic European cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska returns to New York society. Scandalously separated from her husband, the countess bears an independence and awareness of life which stirs the educated sensitivity of the charming Newland Archer, and he falls deeply in love with her. Torn between duty and passion, Archer struggles to make a decision that will either courageously define his life—or mercilessly destroy it.

Public Domain (P)1996 Phoenix Books, Inc.

Woodward brings story to life

I have more than one version of this novel. I was disappointed in the story as it was told through a man‘s interpretation. I wish Joanne Woodward could have read the whole novel instead of a condensed version. She offers a touch of the theater, an infusion of appropriate emotion into this reading. I wish she had done more.

Finest Performance

Who else but Joanne Woodward could narrate and read The Age of Innocence to listeners? Her performance, her smooth voice and her inflection and intonation were perfect. It was like listening to a radio program that drew you in and kept you there by the fire in a completely other world. What a way to listen to a classic read to you by a classic.

Great story great reading

Great performance and story. Well done with a nuanced reading . Good flow and pace same narrator as in the movie

Woodward performs a wonderful Wharton

I’ve never listened to a classic novel before. Hearing Joanne Woodward do the reading was such a treat.

Same narrator from the movie version

I got this because I thought the parts of Joanne Woodward's narration in Scorcese's film adaption werer a eally brilliant addition to the movie. I wish it wasn't an abridged edition but all the main story is there and it was very enjoyable.