Classics Without All the Class discussion

I am having a hard time reading this book and I didnt want to have to resort to Sparknotes...which I totally didnt do in highschool... to understand it.

I am having the most trouble with keeping all of the characters straight so I posted them listed with explanations on who they are. Feel free to add to it just NO SPOILERS PLEASE

Newland Archer - wants to marry May Welland

May Welland - engaged to Newland Archer

Countess Ellen Oleska - May's cousin

Mrs. Mingott - May and Ellen's grandmother

Henry and Louis van der Luyden - dont know why they are important just that they only invite important people over

Juluis Beautfort - seems shady and hangs out with Ellen

Mrs Archer - Newlands mom. Has great relationship with her daughter, Janey

Janey Archer - Newlands sister. Has a close relationship with her mother.

I havent gotten any farther to see if there are more characters. Im only on Chapter 6 so please dont spoil anything :))

I think the van der Luydens are somehow related to Archer. I thought unread that somewhere around the chapter where the were having a party to meet Countess Olenska. Don't hold me to this, I'm having just as much trouble getting through this as you are :).

there is Mr. Jackson too right ? Who knew everything...

Same as you, I'm on a chapter 6 too.

Its hard to keep track but I think mrs mingott is a van der luyden by birth maybe brother to the mr van der luyden but I really fail to see how any of these relationships matter to the story besides making for more readimg than necessary. I think the book could of been done in 50 pages without all the useless details of clothing and such

Yea there is the know it all Jackson and Beaufort has a wife but seems to be one with many a mistress

I looked at the Sparknotes character list because I am having some trouble with keeping the "minor" people straight, too, though I am enjoying the book. I find that the descriptions of clothing, food, etc add so much to the story! Those types of details were considered important to this social class of this time. Anyway, these are directly copied/pasted from Sparknotes with some potential spoilers removed.

VanDerLuydens: The descendants of pre-Revolutionary Dutch aristocracy, this elderly couple is the last word in social authority. They are last in a long line of powerful social leaders. Very quiet and non-adventurous people, they are rarely seen in public and only rarely invite guests to their solemn Madison Avenue mansion.

Julius Beaufort - Little is known about this British banker's past, but it is widely rumored that he left Europe after some shady business deals. With his elaborate annual balls, Beaufort is one of the most important and lavish hosts of New York entertainment.

Lawrence Lefferts - Widely considered to be the arbiter of good taste and moral values, Lefferts is also a huge gossip and an unfaithful husband.

Sillerton Jackson - An elderly gentleman and good friend of the Archer family. Jackson is the unofficial archivist of all New York gossip and family history.

Medora Manson - The eccentric old aunt of Ellen's, Medora raised her after the deaths of Ellen's parents. A penniless itinerant, she is repeatedly widowed, and is tolerated by society only because of her family connections.

Ned Winsett - The bohemian journalist friend of Archer. Ned Winsett is one of the few people with whom Archer can really converse.

Mrs. Lemuel Struthers - Although as heir to a shoe polish fortune Mrs. Struthers is considered common, she becomes a popular hostess known for her artistic gatherings.

I found this character map in cliff notes which helped me work out who was who.

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guid...

Shannon wrote: "I think the van der Luydens are somehow related to Archer. I thought unread that somewhere around the chapter where the were having a party to meet Countess Olenska. Don't hold me to this, I'm havi..."

The van der Luydens are Mrs. Archer's cousins.

Thanks for posting the information. I was in bed last night and picked up this story again and was a bit confused at all the characters. I'm sure it didn't help that is was 4 am!

There are some books where I've read the Spark Notes in conjunction with the book as I read it to make sure I was on the right track with the story, and in that way, I've found SN helpful.

HeatherIlene wrote: "Thanks for posting the information. I was in bed last night and picked up this story again and was a bit confused at all the characters. I'm sure it didn't help that is was 4 am!

There are some bo..."

No problem! Who all of the characters were was my biggest issue .
But I have good news! If you havent gotten there yet, once you get to Chapter 9 it gets better! I thought the first 8 chapter were incredibly boring but once you get to Chapter 9 I feel like it reads more like a normal book!

Anyone agree?

I've been on chapter 16 for three days. Granted I have gotten a little sidetracked b/c I have other things to do. I still find it boring, but it has gotten a little better.

I am so glad to hear I am not the only one having trouble getting through this story. I've been on chapter 4 for days now. I just can't get into it at all. I'm so confused by all the characters, who they are, how they relate as far as the storyline goes...

I seriously am feeling rather dumb because I am having such a hard time with this. So glad it's not just me.

Thanks for making me feel a bit better!

Thank you all for including some descriptive notes about the characters. I thought it was just me who couldn't keep everyone straight.
I had a very difficult time getting into the beginning of the book and understanding everyone's relationships. I am finally in Chapter Eleven and it is getting better, but not one to top any of my lists.

Occasionally, I could not require the previous context in which I'd met some person in the book. But whenever that happened, I knew that person was peripheral and that they were not all that important to the continuation of the story. So I ignored the fact that I didn't really remember them and kept "reading" (actually listening - audio book).

I'm still on chapter 4 after about a week of trying to get through it. I'm truly not enjoying this book so far. Opinions please...should I just say forget it for this book....or should I stick with it and just keep reading??

If you like other romanticism books then I say keep reading. ( Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights) I think that the book started picking up around Chapter 9. I'm a little more than half way through and I can say I do not plan on reading this again. So basically if you love the idea of forbidden love and numerous walks through gardens, then keep going.

I think the book is worth reading for the picture it gives of a culture that's now gone. It's not just a story of forbidden love, but the story of the people in New York society of that time - their morals, ethics (or lack thereof), the way they communicate (or don't).

I'll keep trying! Thanks so much for your input and opinions. I appreciate them!

OMG I am completely and utterly on struggle street right now trying to read this book. I love the english period novels but this is draining the life out of me I am at the point where I am craving seriously and deperately a book that will give me goose bumps. I am only half way and in pain please tell me its going to get better....please....I want to finish cause thats the respectable thing to do for all you that have made it all the way

@ Jett, I had the same problem you did. I was bored out of my mind reading this but, I felt like I should. It took me almost 2 1/2 weeks but, I did it lol. I didn't think it got any better, though some people will argue that. Next time I decided, if I dont like it, I'm not wasting my time reading it.

This book took me over 8 hours to read haha. Although painful, I kept reading because a) I am very loyal to books that I have started (very rarely do I abandon books), and b) I felt like something was going to eventually happen, maybe next chapter, or the one after...NOPE. Nothing really happened! Pride and Prejudice was immensely more exciting than this book (and THAT book I'd read again).

To add to the difficulty I had with this book - I did not like any of the characters! Every single one bored me, even the 'exciting' ones like Oleska and Mrs Mingott.

I wouldn't recommend this book to anybody, nor would I re-read it.

Yes Jessica I think that is my problem, when I read I read to immerse myself in someone else's thoughts, a good book in my opinion is riddled with characters that a full of depth the ones you feel like you know them. Archer Newland is a pompous coward in my opinion. Mr Darcy however is pompous yes but a coward no. I physically want to shake this man to see if his man bits will decend. LOL

I have tried to read this and unfortunately I just can't do it anymore. I hate to give up on a book especially when others will be discussing it and I feel I should contribute something positive if at all possible. I'm sorry that I just can't for this read. I have seriously tried to get through the book and I'm still only 8% of the way through it so far. I'm not enjoying it at all. I've decided earlier today to just bypass the rest of this book and join you all for the next read.

Sandye wrote: "I have tried to read this and unfortunately I just can't do it anymore. I hate to give up on a book especially when others will be discussing it and I feel I should contribute something positive if..."

Hey Sandye. Don't sweat it! We decided a long time ago, even as Booktators not to force ourselves into finishing a book. I didn't finish Madame Bovary a few months ago because it was just too painful. I just discussed what I could and moved on. This group is about having fun and enjoying classics. It isn't a group to force anyone to like certain ones either. There have been some doozies that we've all cringed through. So we will see you for Life of Pi. I'm hoping my library hurries up with my copy (or rather the people in front of me hurry up! Lol). Thanks for giving it a shot. :)

Thanks, Karena! I am enjoying the group so far!! I'm looking forward to Life of Pi. I've been watching for it to go on sale so that I can get it for my Kindle. Of course I'll continue to follow everyone's comments on this book too! Hope you're (and everyone else in the group) is having a great weekend.

It's never wrong not to finish a book that you're forcing yourself through! There are too many books out there!

That being said, despite being really confused over all of the characters in this one, I will say, a few more chapters in, it somewhat clarifies itself as you see more of the characters who are more important. The point of the descriptions is the frivolous society that cares more about appearances than truth. I found most of those sections very tongue-in-cheek and therefore very amusing. Depends on individual sense of humor though, so I totally understand the perspective of those who may not have enjoyed it as much.