This version of the book has been reviewed in English(164) by readers.
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What are readers saying about The House of Mirth (Signet Classics)?
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A reader posted a review at 2009-10-27 22:53:09.
(Language: English)
 
I liked the mix of opulence and determinism. Lily, as a narrator, is paradoxical and challenging. Studies of interiors, conflicts between Victorian ideals and modernization of women's roles, and class rules and relations all were aspects that greatly held my interest. The novel is a downer because of its cage-like confines but the language is beautiful and the story feels scarily relevant.
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Ali posted a review at 2009-10-05 04:16:57.
(Language: English)
 
It's a good read. It's smart and vicious and it shows the pretenses and machinations of society very nicely. The Age of Innocence by the same author is better though.The language may be kinda difficult.
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A reader posted a review at 2009-09-30 12:02:26.
(Language: English)
Almost the story of my life.....
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Gerald posted a review at 2009-09-02 11:37:44.
(Language: English)
Thus far not one of my favorites, but I have to read it because a class decided it was a classic.
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Marlena posted a review at 2009-08-04 17:37:00.
(Language: English)
Ok, so my professor made me read this but I loved it! I bought Wharton's Age of Innocence for vacation.
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Joette posted a review at 2009-07-21 22:27:56.
(Language: English)
I was completely adsorbed by this story. It was written in 1905 about New York society and the devastating effect it had on one woman who was shunned by the elite after being the centre of attention for many years. The main character is Lily Bart who was raised as an ornament due to her beauty. She was meant just to marry a rich man but because she had a mind of her own she made serious errors in judgement. Too late she discovers that without the prestige of society, she had nothing even though she tried to survive as a regular person. It is a harsh satire on society. I cheered Lily on through the whole book and went through many kleenex at the end of the book. This is the best book I've read in a long, long time.
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A reader posted a review at 2009-07-16 10:51:55.
(Language: English)
I couldn't even finish it b/c it bored me so much.
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A reader posted a review at 2009-07-09 06:34:44.
(Language: English)
Edith Wharton is such an amazing author! Her works up until this minute haven’t disappointed me. Everything about her idea/theme, how she portrays her characters, how she describes the scenes in such detailed-beautiful language, how she pours out her character's mood and expression, and how she gives a twist and ironic edge in the actions and conflict is all so...so...amazingly crafted! Again, Wharton tells a story about the society she comes from: the New York High society with all its drama. She shows us a dark view from what seems on the surface as glamorous, fortunate and splendid. Behind all those, we see scandal, rumors, backstabbing friends, deceitful people, gambling, unfaithful marriages, etc. We see how beauty is an important factor but ironically, it can be that one thing that can destroy you. The story centers on Lily Bart and her unfortunate fate living in the midst of that society. This is a devastating story of a woman who can be seen as a product of that society and who is a victim in the same time. This story tells the most unimaginable burden of an unmarried woman must carry in that society. In a world where working is an unthinkable thing for a woman, they become dependent financially to wealthy relatives and husbands. In Lily’s case, she tries to seek marriage as her alley to maintain her social status and her glamorous way of living. She rejects the one person she actually truly loves because the guy isn’t wealthy enough. So is Lily a bad character then? This is where Wharton’s ability in creating a complex character becomes clear. I found myself not certain of what to think about Lily’s character. At some certain moments I find Lily interesting, at other times I hate, and pity her eventually. I was immersed in Lily dark world and I cannot help being grateful that I don’t live in the same type of society where Lily lives in. The way these people think, act, live is utterly depressing. At least that is how Wharton pictures it. Of all her stories I have read so far, The House of Mirth has the most tragic ending in my opinion. So be prepared.
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martina ##no strings attached## posted a review at 2009-07-05 10:54:56.
(Language: English)
a very moving story of a penniless but charming young lady in the New York of old times.29 and still single our beautiful heroine is in a pitiful situation.With no mother to land her a wealthy husband she takes upon herself to find a suitable match. that however is not easy as she finds out soon.Torn between deeply entrenched values and the need to find a rich husband fast she wavers between being perfectly correct and the sometimes immoral manipulation of situation. In a society which does not care for morals and where being rich is the only fashionable virtue she soon finds herself stranded and isolated-- slandered by her rival, abandoned by friends, and ignored by the apathetic rich .with no hope for help from her uncaring relatives and no means of earning on her own she faces a hopeless future. one of the most moving stories i have read it makes for a great read but at the same time makes a true point."the heart of the wise is in the house of sorrow, the heart of the fools is in the house of mirth"
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