Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth

by Janet Beer, Pamela Knights, Elizabeth Nolan

Edith Wharton’s The House of Mirth (1905) is a sharp and satirical, but also sensitive and tragic analysis of a young, single woman trying to find her place in a materialistic and unforgiving society. The House of Mirth offers a fascinating insight into the culture of the time and, as suggested by the success of recent film adaptations, it is also an enduring tale of love, ambition and social pressures still relevant today. Part of the Routledge Guides to Literature series, this volume is essential reading for all those beginning detailed study of The House of Mirth and seeking not only a guide to the novel, but a way through the wealth of contextual and critical material that surrounds Wharton’s text.

184 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Sidra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! The only thing that ruined it for me was that I had watched the movie, which doesn't give this book an ounce of justice. I think that they completely mis-cast this movie, except for the part of Bertha Dorset, the antagonist. Otherwise, Selden and Lily Bart are completely wrong; and I couldn't get my conceptions of them completely out of my head as I tried to fill my head with the real characters that Edith Wharton wanted you to see.
Not only were the characters wrong, they had a really hard time telling the story in the movie and they even got the end wrong.
If you are in the mood for a good tragedy, this book would be my recommendation.

[jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the year of the woman, it's interesting to turn a critical & historical eye on the manner of living and thinking in NYC at the turn of the century.
Victimizing of woman through power, money, left in the hands of patriarchal figures continues and this is over 100 years later...

[Daemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also needs to be remade as a limited series. Such a cinematic book, and written before there was a thing such a cinema!

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the ending I wanted.

[Eva Balga · Rating 2 out of 5]

Depressing.