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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
This book was one that I read slowly. I loved parts of it and I hated a lot of it. I thought the author let Selden off the hook far too easily for example (as unsurprisingly did Lily).
I guess my interest in this book (which was well written) was as someone who is very interested in sociology because Wharton successfully managed to portray a character that I thought I should hate (the self-obsessed, beautiful and shallow Lily) as sympathetic by writing her tragically (in the real sense) and making her fatal flaw identical with her saving grace. I can't say more on that without spoilers. Maybe the word "tragedy" is already hint enough.
Lily is a product of her time and place, she is constructed as she is by those around her...only not quite. At crucial parts of the story she takes her own agency in hand and does not act as the programming would seem to determine- however being a product of her time and place and society (and place IN society) she is always punished for the unexpected caprices of her individuality (even when she owes it to actually having a conscience).
Even throughout the twists of Lily's story however, on the fringes of it appear even less enviable characters (Gertie Farish and even the working girls) as if Wharton was keen to take the veil off the life of privilege and show how many less easy, less indolent lives it blindly depends on. I don;t think the idea of class consciousness or class struggle was a deliberate agenda in the book nevertheless it was there as was a sort of sickening ugliness to the people who could afford to use Lily as an expendable toy or resource and remain blind to what that meant for her (let alone the people who were working to make their hats etc).
The book was well written. Although we are meant to mainly sympathize with Lily at the end of the day I had more time for Gertie Farish dowdy and boring as we are meant to see her.
I guess my interest in this book (which was well written) was as someone who is very interested in sociology because Wharton successfully managed to portray a character that I thought I should hate (the self-obsessed, beautiful and shallow Lily) as sympathetic by writing her tragically (in the real sense) and making her fatal flaw identical with her saving grace. I can't say more on that without spoilers. Maybe the word "tragedy" is already hint enough.
Lily is a product of her time and place, she is constructed as she is by those around her...only not quite. At crucial parts of the story she takes her own agency in hand and does not act as the programming would seem to determine- however being a product of her time and place and society (and place IN society) she is always punished for the unexpected caprices of her individuality (even when she owes it to actually having a conscience).
Even throughout the twists of Lily's story however, on the fringes of it appear even less enviable characters (Gertie Farish and even the working girls) as if Wharton was keen to take the veil off the life of privilege and show how many less easy, less indolent lives it blindly depends on. I don;t think the idea of class consciousness or class struggle was a deliberate agenda in the book nevertheless it was there as was a sort of sickening ugliness to the people who could afford to use Lily as an expendable toy or resource and remain blind to what that meant for her (let alone the people who were working to make their hats etc).
The book was well written. Although we are meant to mainly sympathize with Lily at the end of the day I had more time for Gertie Farish dowdy and boring as we are meant to see her.
Would give the writing 5 stars if the story is not so harsh. I'm feeling even worse than after reading Madame Bovary. Edith Wharton's narrative is too perceptive and thus more painful. It is brilliant until it ends so bitterly in despair and an unintended suicide, but Lily is what Lily is as Wharton has created her and there's nothing else to blame.
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh, GOD, Lily. WHY ARE YOU YOU.
Tragic, pitch-perfect.
Tragic, pitch-perfect.
"Her whole being dilated in an atmosphere of luxury. It was the background she required, the only climate she could breathe in."
What a long, winding and tragic journey I've just been through with dear Lily Bart. Could Edith Wharton be the Queen of hopeless love affairs? I believe so.
House of Mirth is the third novel I've read by Edith Wharton and it ranks as such, behind Ethan Frome and The Age of Innocence. Mirth is the longest of the three novels and has the largest cast of characters, all of whom play significant roles in shaping the future of our protagonist Lily Bart. Frankly, I think Wharton may have introduced a few too many characters into the mix for my liking. With all the Mr.'s and Mrs.'s in society, I had a hard time remembering who was wooing who and who was *cheating on their spouses* with whom. Granted, I did read this book during the course of two to three weeks and was very busy and stressed making major life decisions, so maybe I was a little distracted - but still, lots of characters to keep track of.
My favorite character of the society has to be Lawrence Selden. I mean, Wharton just writes the best male characters, doesn't she? First Newland Archer, now Selden. I love that Selden has a moral compass. He's grounded and honest and unwilling to sacrifice his values for anything - money, reputation, popularity, even love. He's everything that Lily Bart admires, respects, and wishes she could be. And an honorable mention must go out to Simon Rosedale. I liked his "started from the bottom, now I'm here" attitude about things because he was not simply another man born into wealth, but he earned it and therefore knew its true value and capability of changing one's life.
Overall, another excellent, heart aching novel by Edith Wharton. I look forward to whatever work I next encounter by her - she has yet to disappoint me.
For more bookish photos, reviews and updates follow me on instagram @concerningnovels.
What a long, winding and tragic journey I've just been through with dear Lily Bart. Could Edith Wharton be the Queen of hopeless love affairs? I believe so.
House of Mirth is the third novel I've read by Edith Wharton and it ranks as such, behind Ethan Frome and The Age of Innocence. Mirth is the longest of the three novels and has the largest cast of characters, all of whom play significant roles in shaping the future of our protagonist Lily Bart. Frankly, I think Wharton may have introduced a few too many characters into the mix for my liking. With all the Mr.'s and Mrs.'s in society, I had a hard time remembering who was wooing who and who was *cheating on their spouses* with whom. Granted, I did read this book during the course of two to three weeks and was very busy and stressed making major life decisions, so maybe I was a little distracted - but still, lots of characters to keep track of.
My favorite character of the society has to be Lawrence Selden. I mean, Wharton just writes the best male characters, doesn't she? First Newland Archer, now Selden. I love that Selden has a moral compass. He's grounded and honest and unwilling to sacrifice his values for anything - money, reputation, popularity, even love. He's everything that Lily Bart admires, respects, and wishes she could be. And an honorable mention must go out to Simon Rosedale. I liked his "started from the bottom, now I'm here" attitude about things because he was not simply another man born into wealth, but he earned it and therefore knew its true value and capability of changing one's life.
Overall, another excellent, heart aching novel by Edith Wharton. I look forward to whatever work I next encounter by her - she has yet to disappoint me.
For more bookish photos, reviews and updates follow me on instagram @concerningnovels.
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
I rated this book three stars but I think if I were to re-read it, I might upgrade it to four. A sombre, melancholy book with some sections of sheer genius. But so many socialite characters that I was hard put to keep them straight.
Lily is a complicated character, an illusory character that is difficult to get a grip on. Half manipulative, half naive, but almost entirely a woman who maintains a facade at all times. Who is the real Lily Bart?
Lily is a complicated character, an illusory character that is difficult to get a grip on. Half manipulative, half naive, but almost entirely a woman who maintains a facade at all times. Who is the real Lily Bart?
While I can see that this is a good piece of Restoration literature, I still hate the setting, characters and social constructs.
I just can't get into it.
I just can't get into it.
FINALLY FINISHED, oh yeah! It was good, but it's the sort of book that I have to concentrate on, I can't listen to the audiobook while working. I've got to think about the words and what they mean. Glad to finally finish!