I very much enjoyed Glimpses of the Moon. It was a fun love story but also had some interesting things to say about relationships and money. I thought Susy the most sympathetic of the characters. Maybe it was because she is a woman who isn’t supposed to work that she saw more clearly what “managing” meant. Her well-being depended on it. Nick who had a small income and could work was able to play innocent and naive and be morally offended when he finally understood. I thought he was an ass, running away like he did and I am still not entirely sure why Susy loved him, but then love isn’t always rational.

I really enjoyed this book too.  I loved most the depth with which Wharton got into the two main characters’ minds and the way she took the time to describe their thoughts and reactions in such great detail.  I agree that Susy was the most sympathetic, although Nick didn’t bother me as much as he bothered you, Stefanie.  I’m not sure why, because he did behave pretty badly.  I guess I felt he just didn’t understand what Susy had experienced and he needed to learn, and I didn’t fault him for not quite getting it.  I definitely think you’re right that it’s a gender difference that causes their fight—Nick can afford to have more scruples and he doesn’t understand that Susy hasn’t had that luxury.

This was a great selection for discussion! I really liked this book. I agree with you Stefanie, I thought Nick was a jerk. I mean, he also benefitted from this marriage he and Susy cooked up yet he got all offended when he found out what all Susy would do for the sake of more money or gifts. I mean, it wasn’t like he was an innocent in this game. And, then to go off for months and not even write her! Oh that really bugged me.

Ah, Dorothy, you are far more generous to Nick than I could be and it seems than Iliana could be too

Was anyone else bothered by the fact that Nick didn’t realize how much he cared for Susy until he was spying on her and saw her standing in the Fulmers’ doorway looking a little shabby and holding Geordie in her arms? Maybe I am being too picky, but since Wharton is a woman writer I kind of expected something a little less conventional.

I agree, Stefanie, that it was a little suspicious.  I wasn’t sure I liked the fact that caring for children is what made Susy finally mature either—a little too conventional as well.  It’s also just a bit unrealistic—that she could step in and care for five children and learn to love it.  Or maybe that’s just me There was a lot that was unrealistic at the ending, but I was willing to forgive this.  And it’s got a comic structure where people find happiness at the end, and I guess I’m more likely to believe that that happiness is unreliable.

I hadn’t thought about that but you guys are right, it was a bit suspicious that Nick all of a sudden realizes his feelings for Susy after seeing her with the kids. The other thing that bugged me about him was that he was quick to get upset about Susy and Streff yet he was also contemplating a new life with Coral.

And, I’ve got a question… what did you guys think about their wealthy friends? I got the feeling that some of them (sorry I don’t have the book in front of me and am blanking on names) were a bit smug about the fact that they could give them gifts.

Iliana—definitely, they seemed smug about the power they had over Nick and Susy, especially Susy.  They believed they could ask whatever they wanted from her—Ellie Vanderlyn did, and also Ursula, who I think wanted Susy to flirt with her husband again near the end of the book.  They were ruthless, underneath the displays of friendship and politeness.  I thought Wharton did such a good job of portraying their emptiness.

Oh yes, I agree with you both. It’s like they expected Susy to be obliging in return for their “generosity.” When Susy refused to take care of the Fulmer children so Violet could take Nat off to Spain a definite chill descended. And the whole scene with Ellie (I think it was Ellie) trying to get Susy to go to visit the Gillows was painful.

I felt sorry for Susy quite often, but I was also sorry for Streff because he loved Susy and sorry for Nelson Vanderlyn because of Ellie divorcing him for someone richer. I even felt sorry for Coral because Nick was so often cluelessly stringing her a long. so many of the relationships were so messed up.

This has got to be one of the best descriptions ever:

“The insignificant Ellie Vanderlyn, with her brief trivial passions, her artless mixture of amorous and social interests, was a woman with a purpose, a creature who fulfilled herself; but Violet was only a drifting interrogation.”

That’s on page 121 of my edition. I love Violet as a drifting interrogation.

Oh, yes, I remember that quotation—it IS a great description.  Wharton has such a way with words, such a satirical gift.  And it’s amusing that Violet makes Ellie look good, and yet Ellie is so NOT a good person!  All of these people are messed up—you’re right, Stefanie, that there are bad relationships all over the place.  I felt bad for Streffie too.  Even the Fulmers are pretty messed up, what with Mr. Fulmer abandoning Grace when he got the chance, so she had to chase after him.

You’re right, the Fulmers who seem so perfect and good in comparison to Ellie and everyone have their own issues. Susy even worries at one point that the strain of their sudden success will be too much and that Grace wold be “left alone among the ruins.”