Newland Archer belongs to the late 19th century upper class of New York. He is happily engaged to May Welland. But one day Countess Ellen Olenska, MayÆs cousin, returns from Europe. The Countess is independent, brave, very different from the rest of women. Newland will be involved in EllenÆs mystery, and will have to fight against the conventions of the upper class, and against his own heart. The Age of Innocence, winner of a Pulitzer Prize, is one of the greatest passionate stories ever written that criticises the customs of New YorkÆs upper class.