Subject
Upper class -- Fiction Books
Best books
Edith Wharton
The Age of Innocence
"The Age of Innocence" by Edith Wharton is a novel published in 1920. Set in 1870s upper-class New York society, it follows Newland Archer, a gentleman lawyer preparing to marry the beautiful but sheltered May Welland. His secure world shifts when May's unconventional cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska, arrives from Europe, fleeing a scandalous marriage. As Newland grows fascinated by Ellen's bold defiance of social rules, he faces an agonizing choice between duty and desire in a world where appearances matter more than truth.
Edith Wharton
The Custom of the Country
"The Custom of the Country" by Edith Wharton is a novel published in 1913. It follows Undine Spragg, a beautiful and ambitious young woman from the Midwest who arrives in New York City determined to climb the social ladder. Through a series of marriages and affairs, Undine ruthlessly pursues wealth, status, and glamour, leaving destruction in her wake. The novel chronicles her relentless ascent through American and European high society, revealing the costs of her insatiable desires.
Charlotte M. (Charlotte Mary) Yonge
The Heir of Redclyffe
"The Heir of Redclyffe" by Charlotte M. Yonge is a novel published in 1853. Guy Morville, heir to the Redclyffe estate, faces ruin when his hypocritical cousin Philip spreads rumors that destroy his reputation and engagement. Guy endures the injustice with Christian fortitude until his character is cleared. But during an Italian honeymoon, a fateful encounter with Philip tests Guy's nobility in unexpected ways. This High Church romance became the most popular novel of its era, inspiring readers from young women to Pre-Raphaelite artists.
Henry James
The Europeans
"The Europeans" by Henry James is a novel published in 1878. Two sophisticated European siblings arrive in puritanical New England to meet their distant American cousins. Eugenia seeks a wealthy husband after her morganatic marriage faces dissolution, while her brother Felix embraces their relatives' simpler life. Cultural clash and romantic entanglements unfold as European worldliness meets New England propriety. Felix falls for his cousin Gertrude, but misunderstandings, white lies, and differing values complicate everyone's hopes for happiness across the Atlantic divide.
Upton Sinclair
The Metropolis
"The Metropolis" by Upton Sinclair is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story introduces readers to Allan Montague, a young man fresh from the countryside, seeking his place in the bustling, complex world of New York City. Through Allan's experiences, the book explores themes of social status, wealth, and the stark contrast between the lives of the affluent and the struggles of the working class. The opening of "The Metropolis" centers on Allan Montague's arrival in New York City and his first encounters within a gathering of former military officers. The narrative conveys Allan's excitement and trepidation as he meets influential figures linked to his father's past while grappling with his own identity as he transitions from country life to urban sophistication. The chapter also sets the stage for future conflicts by hinting at political unrest and the rise of socialist sentiments in the city, culminating in a stirring confrontation with a passionate speaker advocating for social change. Montague's experiences establish the backdrop for Sinclair's critique of social inequality and the human cost of economic progress.
Samuel Hopkins Adams
Flaming Youth
"Flaming Youth" by Samuel Hopkins Adams is a novel published in 1923 under the pseudonym "Warner Fabian." Set during the Jazz Age, it explores the sexual urges and behavior of young women with a frankness that shocked contemporary readers. F. Scott Fitzgerald credited the book with changing American sexual mores by convincing moralistic readers that young women could be "seduced without being ruined." The controversial novel was quickly adapted into a silent film the same year.
P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse
The small bachelor
"The Small Bachelor" by P. G. Wodehouse is a novel published in 1927. Set in Greenwich Village during Prohibition, it follows George Finch, a shy amateur artist who falls for Molly Waddington. Standing in his way is Molly's socially ambitious stepmother, who schemes to marry her off to an English lord instead. With help from his self-help-author friend and an unlikely fortune teller, George must navigate mistaken identities, fake jewelry, police raids, and romantic rivals to win his bride.
Mary Jane Holmes
Queenie Hetherton
"Queenie Hetherton" by Mary Jane Holmes is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story centers around the character of Reinette Hetherton, a young girl who is returning to America with her father, Frederick Hetherton, after living abroad for many years. As they arrive in Merrivale, they navigate the complexities of their past and the expectations of the people in their new environment, setting the stage for drama and personal discovery. The opening portion introduces key themes and characters against the backdrop of the quaint town of Merrivale, where the return of Frederick and Reinette Hetherton stirs up excitement and curiosity. The narrative begins with Frederick's letter to Arthur Beresford, detailing their upcoming return and the preparations being made for Reinette's arrival. There is a palpable sense of anticipation and change as various townsfolk discuss the implications of the Hethertons' return and express their opinions about the lovely but enigmatic Reinette. The character interactions hint at deeper family histories and social dynamics that will likely unfold as the story progresses, particularly surrounding Reinette's unique identity and how she will fit into the society of Merrivale.
Henry James
The Marriages
"The Marriages" by Henry James is a novella written in the late 19th century, during the Victorian era. This story intricately explores the themes of love, loss, and social expectations surrounding marriage. The narrative centers on the relationship between Colonel Chart and Mrs. Churchley, examining how their intentions impact Colonel Chart's children, particularly his daughter Adela, who is deeply attached to her late mother. The plot unfolds as Adela comes to terms with her father's desire to remarry after the death of her mother, which disturbs her emotional landscape. Adela views Mrs. Churchley as a vulgar and intrusive figure, someone unfit to replace her mother. As tensions rise within the family and the impending marriage looms, Adela takes drastic measures to protect her father's memory of her mother. In a desperate attempt to halt the marriage, she conveys falsehoods to Mrs. Churchley about Colonel Chart's past, leading to unexpected consequences that significantly alter their family dynamics. The story reflects the struggles between duty, affection, and the complexities of familial relationships, culminating in a resolution that challenges the characters' desires and realities.
Edith Wharton
Twilight sleep
"Twilight Sleep" by Edith Wharton is a novel published in 1927. Set in Jazz Age New York, it follows a wealthy socialite family whose carefully maintained facade begins to crumble. As they struggle to save one marriage, hidden affairs and avoidance threaten to unravel everything. Through shifting perspectives, Wharton satirizes a society obsessed with efficiency and escaping pain, where characters desperately seek quick fixes rather than confronting uncomfortable truths. The story builds toward a violent climax that forces nothing to change.
H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
The Wife of Sir Isaac Harman
"The Wife of Sir Isaac Harman" by H. G. Wells is a novel published in 1914. Lady Ellen Harman finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage to Sir Isaac, a domineering self-made businessman. Despite wealth and four children, she yearns for freedom in an age of suffragettes. When genteel novelist Mr. Brumley falls in love with her at first sight, Lady Harman begins pursuing her own interests—including advocating for women's rights and establishing hostels for working women—while navigating the constraints of marriage and Victorian society.
F. Marion (Francis Marion) Crawford
The Three Fates
"The Three Fates" by F. Marion Crawford is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around George Wood, a young man struggling with his identity and aspirations in the shadow of his father's financial ruin and past failures. As George navigates his literary ambitions while resisting the conventional paths expected by his father, the narrative explores themes of family expectations, societal pressures, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment. At the start of the novel, readers are introduced to Jonah Wood, George's father, who is disillusioned and disappointed with his son for not following a traditional career path in business. George, on the other hand, has developed an aversion to the world of finance, stemming from his father's catastrophic failures linked to their family legacy. Despite his father's hopes, George immerses himself in writing and literary criticism, feeling unfulfilled yet determined to define his own future. In an encounter with Constance and Grace Fearing, two orphaned sisters, George experiences a mixture of intrigue and discomfort, reflecting his inner turmoil and the struggle between his artistic ambitions and the societal expectations that weigh heavily upon him.
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