Adam Bede vs The Age of Innocence: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Triangles, Drama, Social life and customs, Fiction

Cover of Adam Bede

Adam Bede George Eliot · 1800 ★★★★☆ 3.8 548 pages · ≈ 10 h 09 m · Light Find on Amazon

vs

Cover of The Age of Innocence

The Age of Innocence Edith Wharton · 1920 ★★★★☆ 4.0 384 pages · ≈ 7 h 07 m · Challenging Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 3.8 vs 4.0 — either is a safe pick by score.
The Age of Innocence is the quicker read — about 7 hours vs 10 for Adam Bede.
Adam Bede is the easier read (Light), The Age of Innocence more demanding (Challenging).

Side by side