Old New York

Spanning four decades in the mid-19th century, the interconnected novellas of Old New York lay out in vivid detail the complex and inscrutable codes, customs, and taboos of New York society in classic Wharton style.

Lewis Raycie is sent on a Grand Tour of Europe with instructions from his father to acquire a collection of accepted Art Works. His father's dream is to own a Raphael; instead, Lewis returns with a priceless collection of Renaissance masterpieces by Piero della Francesca and others of equal stature. They are, however, unknown in America. His father is appalled and disinherits him. His family ridicule him. But it is only after Lewis dies that the magnificent collection gets the recognition it really deserves.

Della Ralston is hosting her cousin Charlotte when she finds out a surprising fact - Charlotte is the mother of Tina, a young girl living at a nearby orphanage. Charlotte has kept the child a secret for many years and is set to be married to Joe Ralston, a man who does not know about this secret daughter. Della is quickly pulled into a plot to ensure that Charlotte is not separated from her daughter. When a series of circumstances ends with Charlotte and Tina moving into Della’s home, Della and Charlotte work to ensure that Tina has a chance at a good future.

The story follows the life of Tina, a young woman caught between the mother who adopted her - the beautiful, upstanding Delia - and her true mother, her plain, unmarried ‘aunt’ Charlotte, who gave Tina up to provide her with a socially acceptable life. The three women live quietly together until Tina’s wedding day, when Delia’s and Charlotte’s hidden jealousies rush to the surface.