description: The return of the beautiful Countess Olenska into the rigidly conventional society of New York sends reverberations throughout the upper reaches of society.Newland Archer, an eligible young man of the establishment is about to announce his engagement to May Welland, a pretty ingénue, when May's cousin, Countess Olenska, is introduced into their circle. The Countess brings with her an aura of European sophistication and a hint of scandal, having left her husband and claimed her independence.Her sorrowful eyes, her tragic worldliness and her air of unapproachability attract the sensitive Newland and, almost against their will, a passionate bond develops between them. But Archer's life has no place for passion and, with society on the side of May and all she stands for, he finds himself drawn into a bitter conflict between love and duty.
language: English
title: The Age of Innocence
titlecomplete: The Age of Innocence
characters: May Welland, Mrs. Manson Mingott, Mrs. Augusta Welland, Ellen Olenska, Newland Archer
genres: Fiction, 20th Century, Classics, Historical, New York, American, Historical Fiction, Romance, Literature, Novels
ratings_count: 168100
places: New York City, New York, New York (State), The United States of America
awards: awardedAt: -1546272000000
name: Pulitzer Prize
category: Novel
publisher: State Street Press