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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.52
EAN num: 9780020383147
ISBN number: 0020383142
Label: Scribner
Manufacturer: Scribner
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 320
Printing Date: March 01, 1995
Publishing house: Scribner
Sale Popularity Level: 66354
Studio: Scribner
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
The four short novels in this collection by the author of The Age of Innocence are set in the New York of the 1840s, '50s, '60s, and '70s, each one revealing the tribal codes and customs that ruled society, portrayed with the keen style that is uniquely Edith Wharton's. Originally published in 1924 and long out of print, these tales are vintage Wharton, dealing boldly with such themes as infidelity, illegitimacy, jealousy, the class system, and the condition of women in society. Included in this remarkable quartet are False Dawn, which concerns the stormy relationship between a domineering father and his son; The Old Maid, the best known of the four, in which a young woman's secret illegitimate child is adopted by her best friend -- with devastating results; The Spark, about a young man's moral rehabilitation, which is 'sparked' by a chance encounter with Walt Whitman; and New Year's Day, an O. Henryesque tale of a married woman suspected of adultery. Old New York is Wharton at her finest.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers -
We enjoyed this book , especially the story "The Old Maid". We are fans of Editith Wharton and this did not disappoint.
Rated by buyers 
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Once you've read all of the "A-list" Wharton novels several times over, it's a treat to tread on new ground. This isn't the best of La Wharton, but it's still the Maitresse, and she sure knows how to string a sentence together. If you haven't read any of her major novels, go order The House of Mirth or The Age of Innocence. But if you've been around the Wharton block a couple of times, order this one for an infusion of new blood.
Rated by buyers -
I feel bad giving this book three stars while everyone else here raved about it, but I had a rough time getting through it. I received this book for Christmas (it was on my wish list) and thought I'd really enjoy it based on what everyone else had to say about it. But it was in fact very hard to get through, and at a few points I found myself nodding off. Not to mention it was a bit hard to follow at times. I realize each story takes place in the mid-to-late 1800's, but the language of the day is kinda difficult to understand sometimes.
I also don't think it helped that the very first of the four stories in this book (False Dawn) was my least favorite. It was very predictable, and my mind kept wondering throughout the story. The other three tales weren't bad, but even the best of the four 'Old Maid' (which was made into a Betty Davis movie) was slow-going.
In the end, I just don't think this is my kinda reading. I have a few other books by this author, including 'House of Mirth', but am now a little reluctant to pick them up. I think I'll give it some time before I dig into another Edith Wharton book again. Though I wasn't overly pleased with the experience, I sure hope you have better luck with it.
Rated by buyers -
This collection of 4 novellas is not one of Edith Wharton's best or best known books; however, OLD NEW YORK is a wonderful and varied good read. The best known of these stories is probably the OLD MAID, which was made into a 1939 movie starring Bette Davis. It chronicles the complex relationsip between cousins who join together to hide the origins of an orphan. I also really enjoyed NEW YEAR'S DAY, which tells of a young adulturous woman and the ramificantions her actions have on her entire life. The story reminded me a bit of THE AGE OF INNOCENCE in its heroine's sacrificing her life for the sake of appearances. THE SPARK is also terrific, but a bit stagey. It tells of a young man's fascination with an older successful man who is seen as a bit silly by others. Unfortunately, the book jacket (included on this site also) gives away a bit too much. The other story, FALSE DAWN, I found to be too predictable, and the writing was rather stilted. FALSE DAWN is the very first story in this collection; if you find yourself not enjoying this story, stick with the book...it gets better!
Overall, this collection is likely to please fans of Edith Wharton and people who enjoy American literature from the early 20th century. Wharton is an superb author of the finest caliber, and I look forward to reading more of her books.
Rated by buyers 
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There is no doubt about it. Edith Warthon -- the stunning creator of amazing novels like The Age of Innocence and The House of Mirth -- had outdone herself with Old New York. The four novellas in Old New York have similar themes: infidelity, jealousy and the always intriguing class system. I love all the stories, but I particularly like "New Year's Day," which focuses on an adulterous woman. I marvel at the fact that this story had probably caused some controversy in those times. I also enjoyed "False Down" and "The Old Maid." I know that this particular book is not as popular as -- oh, I don't know -- The Age of Innocence, but the timeless quality in the stories is definitely memorable. If you haven't given this wonderful book a whirl, please do!
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