Twenty-nine year old society belle, Lily Bart, is burdened with gambling debts. She intends to marry into money but her calculated plans to win the affections of dull but rich Percy Gryce backfire. In this literary classic, first published in 1905, the author scrutinizes the customs, mores and rituals of New York high society. With an introduction by Martha Banta. (Kirkus UK)

'To my mind, her greatest novel ... beautifully written ... never jaded or perfunctory. The humour sedately delirious.'

This is a black comedy of manners about vast wealth and a woman who can define herself only through the perceptions of others. The beautiful Lily Bart lives among the nouveaux riches of New York City - people whose millions were made in railroads, shipping, land speculation and banking. In this morally and aesthetically bankrupt world, Lily, age twenty-nine, seeks a husband who can satisfy her cravings for endless admiration and all the trappings of wealth. But her quest comes to a scandalous end when she is accused of being the mistress of a wealthy man. Exiled from her familiar world of artificial conventions, Lily finds life impossible.

This is a black comedy of manners about vast wealth and a woman who can define herself only through the perceptions of others. The beautiful Lily Bart lives among the nouveaux riches of New York City - people whose millions were made in railroads, shipping, land speculation and banking. In this morally and aesthetically bankrupt world, Lily, age twenty-nine, seeks a husband who can satisfy her cravings for endless admiration and all the trappings of wealth. But her quest comes to a scandalous end when she is accused of being the mistress of a wealthy man. Exiled from her familiar world of artificial conventions, Lily finds life impossible.

Edith Wharton was born Edith Newbold Jones on January 24, 1862, during the American Civil War. Wharton published her first short story in 1891; her first story collection, The Greater Inclination, in 1899; a novella called The Touchstone in 1900; and her first novel, a historical romance called The Valley of Decision, in 1902. The book that made Wharton famous was The House of Mirth, published in 1905. She died in 1937.

2008-07-12 very clever and tragic

recommend this book, is extremely clever wry look into "society" and shallow, superficial types who are only concerned with what people wear and how much money they have. Lily (central character) turning to all sorts of odious men to keep up appearances and money, while her true love is laid aside, feelings counting little in this character's world. As a christian i find this book quite revelant as it demonstrates how little money and good time friends mean as the outcome reveals. Very good, not excellent, but v good, ethan frome by the same author is superior for me