Reviews - The House of Mirth

1.86k reviews for:

The House of Mirth

Edith Wharton

3.92 AVERAGE

manolagonzalez's review against another edition

4.0

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

amybethharrison's review against another edition

4.0

I liked this book well enough, but the ending really made it for me. I found it a bit hard to like the main character at first. Although some of her problems are because of her situation and being a women at the end of the nineteenth century, she also consistently makes bad decisions and doesn't see dangers until it is too late. Yet when she takes the final fall from society, she sticks to a certain amount of integrity. There are lines she won't cross no matter her situation. Seldon, her real love, realizes this as he visits her just after she dies. It makes for a beautiful moment. However, I wanted to rattle both of them for not being able to overcome their prejudices that keep them apart throughout the book. The whole book is also a fascinating look at the advantages and disadvantages of being rich and wanting money.

gnat_reads2's review against another edition

5.0

challenging inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

thejenhiller's review against another edition

5.0

I love this book enough that I've read it about three times. Edith Wharton's writing is lovely, and she captures New York society at the turn of the century. Although far from perfect, Lily Bart is a sympathetic heroine in my eyes. The movie starring Gillian Anderson and Laury Linney is quite good, but it does combine some characters and make a few significant changes.