From the Bookshelf of Constant Reader…

The House of Mirth

Edith Wharton

Start date: December 1, 2010

Finish date: January 1, 2011

Discussion: Classics Corner

Discussion leader: Sara

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Classics Corner

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What Members Thought

Dec 02, 2010 Mary Ellen rated it really liked it

Edith Wharton's satire of life in the upper echelons of New York society at the turn of the last century is still fresh because of the fascination of its central character, Lily Bart. A relatively poor woman dependent on the hospitality of her wealthy friends, Lily is esteemed for her beauty and mastery of the social graces. But she is desperate to marry a wealthy man to provide her with financial stability; at twenty-nine, her shelf life is rapidly coming to its expiration date. The complexity ...more

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May 08, 2009 Marwa Ayad rated it it was amazing

An amazing novel that's remarkably tragic...The heroine Lily Bart is one of my all-time favorite heroines, perhaps because of her constant misfortune, lack of sound judgment, poor choices, and good nature. A must-read. ...more

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Dec 31, 2007 Monica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: probably-won-t-get-around-to-it

Me I cheated and watched the flic. Snip from Netflix: "Lily Bart (Gillian Anderson) is a ravishing socialite at the top of her game, cunningly working her way to the top of turn-of-the-century Manhattan's social scene. But the cost of Lily's success is happiness. Terence Davies directs this provocative and haunting drama, adapted from the book by Edith Wharton. The all-star ensemble cast includes Dan Aykroyd, Anthony LaPaglia, Laura Linney, and Eric Stoltz" Don't let Dan Aykroyd put you off. It ...more

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