The House of Mirth in Who Doesn't Love a Classic?

May 29, 2011 Book Concierge rated it it was amazing

Shelves: concierge, library, social-commentary, audio, classic, 19th-century, new-york

Audio book (unabridged) performed by Wanda McCaddon

When a girl is raised only to be an ornament, what is to become of her when she can no longer serve that function? Who is to blame when she has no other choice? Or does she have options?

Wharton excels at shining a bright light on the intricacies of New York society in the late 1890s and early 1900s. This book follows the incredibly beautiful, but not very wealthy, Miss Lily Bart. At the novel’s opening she is 29 years old, and everyone (includin Audio book (unabridged) performed by Wanda McCaddon

When a girl is raised only to be an ornament, what is to become of her when she can no longer serve that function? Who is to blame when she has no other choice? Or does she have options?

Wharton excels at shining a bright light on the intricacies of New York society in the late 1890s and early 1900s. This book follows the incredibly beautiful, but not very wealthy, Miss Lily Bart. At the novel’s opening she is 29 years old, and everyone (including herself) agrees that she really needs to get married – and soon. But Lily has been raised to expect wealth and all it offers, and to fear shabbiness or “dinginess” Over and over she makes decisions based on this false sense of what will bring her happiness, and over and over she falls farther and farther from her goal.

The beauty of Wharton’s work is that she weaves such a rich tapestry. Every character, even a minor one, is fully fleshed out. She gives the reader a clear picture of the nuances of daily life for the wealthy socialites with whom Lily has always associated. Weeks spent as the guest of friends with a country estate, playing bridge for money, dining on the finest repast, enjoying the sparkling conversation (and the gossip and conjecture) – this is the life of Lily and her friends. And once “the season” starts back in the city, there are rounds of calls to be made, balls to attend, opera and theater and dinners, and the occasional charitable work for appearances sake. I found myself near tears several times, knowing Lily was headed for disaster and feeling so helpless to stop her.

McCaddon does a fine job performing this book. There were a few scenes – especially if between two young women – where it was a little difficult to tell who was “speaking,” but that was a minor inconvenience. She has an elegance of speech that is perfect for this book.

And now some thoughts on the ending ...
(view spoiler) ...more

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Jan 31, 2021 Jess Penhallow rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: usa, 1900s, boxall-s

I very much enjoyed this classic of American literature. It was very readable and I was fascinated by Lily Bart and her privileged yet unfortunate life. However, I got a bit bogged down by all the characters and feel like I missed certain plot points in the first half when I was still getting my footing.

Overall I found the second half much stronger than the first for this reason (view spoiler) ...more

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Jan 20, 2019 ~Calyre~ rated it liked it

Shelves: 1001-books, american-literature, movies

La lumière que Mrs. Fisher projetait sur la situation était comme une matinée d'hiver limpide, mais morne. Elle dessinait les faits avec une froide précision que ne modifiaient ni ombre ni couleur, comme réfractée par une clôture de murs nus: Mrs. Fisher avait ouvert les fenêtres par lesquelles aucun ciel n'était jamais visible. ...more

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