The House of Mirth
by Edith Wharton | Literature & Fiction | This book has not been rated.
ISBN: Global Overview for this book
ISBN: Global Overview for this book
3 journalers for this copy...
"The House of Mirth" stands as the work that first established Edith Wharton's eminent literary reputation. In it she discovered her major subject: the fashionable New York society in which she had been raised, whose power to debase both people and ideals forms the dramatic core of this finely wrought novel. Its heroine, Lily Bart, the poor relation of a wealthy woman, is beautiful, intelligent, and hopelessly addicted to the pleasures of a moneyed world of luxury and grace. But, ironically, her delicacy of taste and moral sensibility - qualities representing the ideal goals of that world - render her unfit for survival in it. As she struggles to maintain her tenuous position, she is helpless against the vulgarity and greed that form the true foundations of the glittering social edifice; the society that has created her commences ruthlessly to destroy her. A brilliant portrayal of both human frailty and nobility, and a bitter attack on false social values, "The House of Mirth" has been termed by Louis Auchincloss as "uniquely authentic among American novels of manners."
Sending this book to Cinnamon-Girl for BookRelay's "More Reverse Wishlisting" category. Enjoy, LW!
Received today along with The Optimist's Daughter - thanks very much!
Sending today to Wistroll as RABCK, part of the Women Who Love Books Too Much bookring ~ enjoy!
Received along with Women Who Love Books Too Much
Bookring. Thanks so much, hopefully I`ll have time to be able to read this.
Bookring. Thanks so much, hopefully I`ll have time to be able to read this.