The House of Mirth

by Edith Wharton

Paperback, 368 pages

English language

Published Jan. 1, 1993 by Penguin Books.

ISBN:: 978-0-14-018729-8

(12 reviews)

From the esteemed author of The Age of Innocence--a black comedy about vast wealth and a woman who can define herself only through the perceptions of others. Lily Bart's quest to find a husband who can satisfy her cravings for endless admiration and all the trappings of the rich comes to a scandalous end when she is accused of being a wealthy man's mistress.

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 …

112 editions

Mark Anderson reviewed House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

Review of 'House of Mirth' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

After reading a review on The Millions about this book (www.themillions.com/2014/12/year-in-reading-edan-lepucki-3.html), I figured I'd give it a read over my winter break. I loved it. Wharton's prose is sharp, her sentences capturing depth while confining flight. She manages to convey both cynical critique and the warmth of humanity, captured in the unique character of Lily Bart. This classic remains fresh and relevant today.

Sandra reviewed House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

Review of 'House of Mirth' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Boy, this novel kind of bummed me out. Nothing ever goes right for Lily and sometimes it seems as even Lily is out to get Lily. It was overkill actually and it got to be painful reading after a while. No happy ending here Gs. The rich get richer, their ranks more exclusive and once you're on the outs, you out, sucka. This was a very good book but I kind of hated it. Weird.