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The House of Mirth [Paperback]

Edith Wharton (Author), Cynthia Wolff (Introduction)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
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Book Description

Publication Date: 25 Nov 1993 | ISBN-10: 0140187294 | ISBN-13: 978-0140187298 | Edition: New Ed

A black comedy of manners about vast wealth and a woman who can define herself only through the perceptions of others.

The beautiful Lily Bart lives among the nouveaux riches of New York City – people whose millions were made in railroads, shipping, land speculation and banking. In this morally and aesthetically bankrupt world, Lily, age twenty-nine, seeks a husband who can satisfy her cravings for endless admiration and all the trappings of wealth. But her quest comes to a scandalous end when she is accused of being the mistress of a wealthy man. Exiled from her familiar world of artificial conventions, Lily finds life impossible.

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The House of Mirth + The Age of Innocence (Wordsworth Classics) + This Side of Paradise and The Beautiful and Damned (Wordsworth Classics)
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Product details

  • Paperback: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin Classics; New Ed edition (25 Nov 1993)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0140187294
  • ISBN-13: 978-0140187298
  • Product Dimensions: 12.8 x 1.6 x 19.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 594,695 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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More About the Authors

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Shari Benstock
Elizabeth Ammons
Edith Wharton

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Review

Gore Vidal There are only three or four American novelists who can be thought of as "major," and Edith Wharton is one. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description

The tragic fall of Lily Bart, a beautiful socialite who loses her footing in the savage social-climbing world of New York high society in the nineteenth century --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating look at 19th Century New York Society 28 July 2007
By Misfit TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
"The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth" Ecclesiastes 7:4 KJV. Hence begins the story of Lily Bart, raised from birth with no other purpose in life than to be a beautiful ornament to society. Lily is left with little money of her own and must rely on family and friends until she can make an advantageous marriage. Unfortunately, she makes some poor choices in life which diminish her social status, which eventually leads her to attempts to eke out a living among the working class.

Wharton, who grew up in this same environment, pulls no punches. We see both the glamour and richness of late 19th century New York society, along with it's evil underside. Wharton's prose is glorious, but you have to pay attention and not wander or you'll end up back tracking and reading that paragraph again so as not to miss the story, you want to slow down and enjoy it like a fine red wine or a box of chocolate (or both). If you enjoy classic literature with a soap opera melodramatic tone to it (like Hardy's Tess), this should be right up your alley. So many times Lily and Seldon missed their opportunity for happiness! Have the hanky ready for the last chapters, you'll need it.
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Edith Wharton at her best 24 July 2002
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
In 'House of Mirth', Wharton's prose, timing and deft touch are all much in evidence. What makes this an especially enjoyable work is its unpredictibility. Whilst 'The Age of Innocence' is perhaps Wharton's most famous novel, 'House of Mirth' is more complex (and less cliched, I feel) - and ultimately more satisfying in terms of plot and characterisation.

The novel follows the events surrounding Lily Bart, a society beauty in 19th century New York, who must marry money in order to secure a life of luxury. Lily's flawed character is marvellously fleshed-out - making her a very real heroine. A number of suitors present themselves, but Lily's inability to marry solely for money, the prejudices of New York Society and ultimately - Lily's tendency to play her cards badly - produces a thoroughly absorbing ending.

The film, by the way, does not do the novel justice.

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19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Survive The Savage Society 9 Feb 2003
By Ms. L. M. Smith
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Set in 1890's New York, we follow the life of Miss Lily Bart, a dazzling socialite, sharp-witted and beautiful as she whirls amongst the parties and events in the endless social calendar of the fashionable hierarchy. But fortune does not favour Lily; despite her much-admired beauty, she is an impoverished spinster who struggles to keep up with the tremendous expense of living the lifestyle of the exclusive rich set.

Lily's descent into poverty is terribly compelling to witness; scandal follows scandal, as Lily's circle of former acquaintance turns it back on her and leaves only a few caring true friends. Your heart sinks with every step down the social ladder for Lily, and the close of the novel is tragic and moving. Despite her flaws, you are still rooting for Lily to regain her rightful status in genteel society, and this is evidence enough that Edith Wharton was a masterful storyteller. I have yet to see the film of the novel, starring Gillian Anderson as Lily, but if it remains true to the novel, then it must be worth seeing.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars The House of Mirth
I have just started reading The House of Mirth, and I really like it; I had already read another book by Edith Wharton.And I like her writing
Published 13 days ago by kibodi
3.0 out of 5 stars The House of Mirth - worth sticking with
I'm glad I read this to the end, as it left me with a lot to think about. Nevertheless, it was hard going, mostly, I think, because it was written about such a narrow and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Wilkie Martin
4.0 out of 5 stars Engaging style and thought-provoking plot
I loved Edith Wharton's writing style and thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It raised lots of questions about the impact of class, gender, and wealth on people's lives, which... Read more
Published 2 months ago by SueHS
5.0 out of 5 stars Tale of a flawed heroine
This is the second work of Wharton that I have read, the first being the spectacular "Age of Innocence" (which I understand was written after "House of Mirth" as an apology for... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lauren G
4.0 out of 5 stars A novel that will make you cry.
My heart was torn asunder by this novel. A touch too sentimental, but written with great insight and understanding of society and the fallen woman.
Published 3 months ago by Sarah Kendal
5.0 out of 5 stars The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
This is a great novel full of sharp,subtle and compassionate insights. The central character, Lily Bart, is not presented as a heroine yet commends herself increasingly as a proud,... Read more
Published 4 months ago by PJB
5.0 out of 5 stars magnificent
This is a captivating account of the lives of wealthy nineteenth century New Yorkers.

It holds the reader spellbound with the twists and turns of the great social chess... Read more
Published 5 months ago by thetruthshallsetyefree
5.0 out of 5 stars The House of Mirth
This novel is compelling from the first page. Very fine writing - a rare thing, and something to be celebrated :-)
Published 5 months ago by Ruth Lanser
5.0 out of 5 stars The House of Mirth - Edith Wharton
Oh, this is wonderful! Wharton is sharp and compassionate, and writes about turn of the century American social life with humanity and horror. Read more
Published 6 months ago by RachelWalker
5.0 out of 5 stars High society - low life
Lily Bart remains unmaried (gasp! shock!) at the ripe old age of twenty-nine; in New York society at the turn of the nineteenth century, her time for making her mark and settling... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Keen Reader
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