The Age of Innocence

Like most of Wharton's novels, The Age of Innocence is set in New York's high society in the late 19th century. The main character of the story is Newland Archer, a gentleman who is about to marry May Welland. However, he ends up being drawn to May's cousin the Countess Olenska who has left her husband. The story contains social commentary on the life of the upper class. Wharton won the Pulitzer Prize for this book, the first woman to receive this commendation. It is considered one of the top 100 novels in the English language.