"The House of Mirth" by Edith Wharton is a story set in late 19th-century New York, focusing on the life of Lily Bart, a captivating woman caught in the high-stakes game of high society. Wharton's narrative explores the complex rules around social class, gender, and what people want most in life. The story begins with Lily, charming but not wealthy, running into Lawrence Selden, an acquaintance with whom she has some chemistry at Grand Central Station. Their conversation hints at Lily's problems: she missed her train and feels stuck in a world where money and status matter more than anything. As Lily tries to find her place in this world, the book likely discusses how she deals with having dreams that are hard to reach, as she is always being judged by how much money she—or her husband to be—has. Wharton paints a detailed picture of the socialites and creates a believable and intricate world where beauty and appearances are highly valued, leaving readers to question the price of fitting in as Lily struggles to become successful.
The House of Mirth
By Edith Wharton
In a world of lavish parties and social climbing, a beautiful woman navigates love, money, and the suffocating expectations of New York's elite.
Summary
About the AuthorEdith Newbold Wharton was an American writer and designer. Wharton drew upon her insider's knowledge of the upper-class New York "aristocracy" to portray, realistically, the lives and morals of the Gilded Age. In 1921, she became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, for her novel, The Age of Innocence. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, in 1996. Her other well-known works are The House of Mirth, the novella Ethan Frome, and several notable ghost stories.
Edith Newbold Wharton was an American writer and designer. Wharton drew upon her insider's knowledge of the upper-class New York "aristocracy" to portray, realistically, the lives and morals of the Gilded Age. In 1921, she became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction, for her novel, The Age of Innocence. She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, in 1996. Her other well-known works are The House of Mirth, the novella Ethan Frome, and several notable ghost stories.
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