Saturday Morning Reading with The Innocents.
Have you read The Innocents? I just did. It is a story loosely based on Edith Wharton’s Age of Innocence, which I have never read. This modern day version casts a a lens on what is considered a tight knit Jewish community in London. The story develops as Adam & Rachel set to marry – a union that brings joy to all the family & community. Adam, having lost his father, was firm in his conviction of what is right, and moral. Then looses his own way when Ellie, Rachel’s more-worldly cousin rejoins the family, after being the family outcast. His security and convictions are challenged. We watch Adam fall & get back up while learning a great deal about the strength & conscience from Rachel, his family and, ultimately, himself.
The writing was lovely, it was a great read. I really enjoyed the story. And while I have not read Edith Wharton’s Age of Innocence – I am, in a post college English Lit kind of experiment, I am reading it for a comparison. I am about a quarter way through, and the pace of Wharton’s early 20th century NYC based novel is, well, slower. In Segal’s version I enjoyed many of the characters with Ziva – the maternal Grandmother, being by far my favorite character – she is a pip. I am having trouble finding anyone like able in the Wharton version. But I will let you know. But now, please tell me: have you read it & what do you think?
The Real EBC 