70 pages • 2 hours read
Edith WhartonThe House of Mirth
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1905A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The House of Mirth follows 29-year-old Lily Bart, a beautiful woman from an upper-class background in New York's high society at the turn of the 20th century, as she seeks to secure her financial future through marriage. Her independence and the rigid societal conventions clash, leading her to experience social ostracism and personal decline over two years. The book addresses themes of financial ruin and substance misuse.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Edith Wharton's The House of Mirth is praised for its elegant prose and sharp social critique. Critics laud its portrayal of Lily Bart's struggles within high society but note that some characters can seem stereotypical. The novel's tragic arc is compelling, though some find it overly melancholic. Its relevance to class and gender issues remains influential.
Who Should Read The House of Mirth?
The ideal reader of Edith Wharton’s The House of Mirth appreciates intricate social commentary and character-driven narratives. Similar to fans of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Henry James’s The Portrait of a Lady, they enjoy exploring the complexities of upper-class society and the constraints faced by women seeking independence in a rigid social hierarchy.