The Age of Innocence is simply extremely well written. The characters are sympathetic and interesting, and the love triangle never once made me groan (in fact I really liked it). It's also a very funny, smart, bittersweet book, and the ending is fantastic.The style can take getting used to, however. Much like Pride and Prejudice, you start off confusing characters and having to re-read sentences to decipher their meaning, but it all comes together quickly enough.I just love so much about this book. I can't wait to read more of Edith Wharton's work.