The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton - Classic American Novel | Perfect for Book Clubs, Literature Lovers & Gift Giving

Written in 1905, this novel brought me into the world of New York society at that time. Edith Wharton lived in this world and her writing dissected its pomp with a sharp discerning eye. The people she writes about own country houses where the party never stops. They travel abroad for months at a time. Their clothes are of the finest quality. And the only possible career for a woman is to marry a rich man.We first meet Lily Bart at the age of 29. She has been trained from childhood in all the social graces. Unfortunately for her though, her father lost all his money when she was 12 years old and both her parents died soon after that. As she was beautiful, she assumed that her looks, quick wit and personality would attract a wealthy husband, and, indeed she did attract them. But in her youth she turned down several suitors and was now aware that time was no longer on her side; she needed to marry before she lost her looks.She has her eyes set on Percy Gryce, a dull man who will be at a party in a country home and she flirts in such a way that he is soon smitten. He is desirable for his money but he bores her to death. But this romance never works out.There is another man of course. His name is Lawrence Selden. He is a lawyer and lives a nice life but doesn't have the wealth she thinks she requires. They become friends and it is clear to the reader that they are in love. She still keeps looking for a wealthy man though and makes one mistake after another. Even though she remains chaste, she gets into some compromising situations. There is a lot of gossip and her rich women friends either turn on her or drop her.Her prospects get dimmer and dimmer and she even considers marrying a rich Jewish man who she had once turned down, but even he rejects her. At one point Lawrence Selden tries to help her but she rejects him too. She's penniless and has no prospects. She is living in a boarding house and trying to work in a milliner's shop but even the spangles she sews on the hats are crooked and she soon loses that job. This novel ends in tragedy.Lily Bart is a great character. She symbolizes the reality of New York society. She also is very human and deeply flawed and even though there were times she annoyed me tremendously, I could also sympathize with her. As a New Yorker myself, I enjoyed the setting as I am very familiar with the streets and the history. This is a really fine book.