Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

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The House of Mirth is a 1905 novel by the American author Edith Wharton. It tells the story of Lily Bart, a well-born but impoverished woman belonging to New York City's high society around the turn of the last century. Wharton creates a portrait of a stunning beauty who, though raised and educated to marry well both socially and economically, is reaching her 29th year, an age when her youthful blush is drawing to a close and her marital prospects are becoming ever more limited.
Genres: Novel, Drama, Psychological Fiction (351 pages)

Our Host will be Kathy!

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/284/2...

This is my first reading of House of Mirth. I hope you join me.

Read this awhile ago. Very interesting, moving.

Glad to hear that, Gilbert.

A few opening facts:

Before The House of Mirth was published in October of 1905, it was serialized in Scribner's Magazine.

After considering several titles, including ""A Moment's Ornament, Wharton chose the title The House of Mirth, taken from the Old Testament:

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

— Ecclesiastes 7:4

Thank you for finding that information Kathy. I had no idea!

Hi, I’ll be joining you for this one too. I haven’t read it before either.

Glad to have you with us Georgina!

Welcome, Georgina! Glad to have you with us.

Georgina Kathy is Hosting this group read for us and she has already posted an interesting fact under msg 6.

Thanks Kathy and Leslie. I always find out so much more about the books in these groups than I ever would reading them on my own :)

I do too, Georgina.

I've read two chapters so far. Lily Bart's character is already developing.

From Selden's point of view: "There was nothing new about Lily Bar, yet he could never see her without a faint movement of interest: it was characteristic of her that she always roused speculation, that her simplest acts seemed the result of far-reaching intentions."

Later on, still from Selden's point of view: "She was so evidently the victim of the civilization which had produced her, that the links on her bracelet seemed like manacles chaining her to her fate."

We're learning about Lily and the society of New York around the turn of the last century.

I am reading this one with the group. I am about 1/4 way and am enjoying it so far

That's great, Tracey. Glad you're enjoying it. Feel free to make any comments.

If I can find my copy in my mess of a little room! I might join in!

I'm joining in!! About a quarter or so done and enjoying the read.

I hope you find your copy, Lesle. Glad you’re enjoying, Sam.

Started reading, making good progress so far. Selden's points of view seem pretty well distilled. Channelling the author's maybe?

Emma wrote: "Started reading, making good progress so far. Selden's points of view seem pretty well distilled. Channelling the author's maybe?"

I think so too, Emma. Wharton grew up in that society and knows it well.

She was a Phantom of delight
When first she gleam'd upon my sight;
A lovely Apparition, sent
To be a moment's ornament:
Her eyes as stars of twilight fair;
Like twilight's, too, her dusky hair;
But all things else about her drawn
From May-time and the cheerful dawn;
A dancing shape, an image gay,
To haunt, to startle, and waylay.
William Wordsworth's (1770–1850) poem, "She was a Phantom of Delight"

"A moment's ornament" represents the way Wharton describes Lily's relationship to her reference group as a beautiful and well-bred socialite. Her value lasts only as long as her beauty and good-standing with the group is maintained.

Lesle, that's how I picture Lily.

Edith Wharton knew the society that Lily lived in.

From Wikipedia: (Sorry, I know it's shortcomings...)

"Socialite and debutante
Between 1880 and 1890 Wharton put her writing aside to perform as debutante and socialite. Wharton keenly observed the social changes happening around her which appeared later in her writing.[21] Wharton officially came out as a debutante to society in 1879.[22] Wharton was allowed to bare her shoulders and wear her hair up for the first time at a December dance given by a wealthy socialite, Anna Morton.[22] Wharton began a courtship with Henry Leyden Stevens, the son of a wealthy businessman. Henry's father was Paran Stevens, a hotelier and real estate investor from rural New Hampshire. His sister Minnie Stevens Paget married Arthur Paget (British Army officer). [23] Wharton's family did not approve of Stevens.[23]

In the middle of Wharton's debutante season, the Jones family returned to Europe in 1881 for Wharton's father's health.[24] Wharton's father, George Frederic Jones, died in Cannes in 1882 of a stroke.[25] Stevens was with the Wharton family in Europe during this time.[24] Wharton and her mother returned to the United States and Wharton continued her courtship with Stevens, announcing their engagement in August 1882.[24] The month the two were to marry, the engagement abruptly ended.[26]"

The difference with Lily is that she has little money and must rely on friends for her social life. I think Lily would be a different person if she had the money to be independent.

I'm really tripped out by the idea of these "tableaux", they've come up in other novels, or something similar, like a play in someone's house. So the idea is to imitate a painting on a stage in costume?!

Also that these super rich people used to throw gambling parties for days.

I finished today. I really enjoyed this book. One of the things I noticed and loved was how Wharton set the mood with the weather. The last two little parts in particular... rainy and dreary for a similar mood, sunny and bright for a happy mood.

The book Eline Vere by Couperous also had the tableaux. Entertainment pre-radio and TV. Pretty cool

I found my copy. My cover doesnt match what comes up below. She looks to be in her 60's and a grouchy upity lady!

which is what comes up with the ISBN

We start longer days at work this week. 7:30 to 7pm, I am working Saturday too. So hoping to start somewhere this weekend if not before.

Definition of Mirth: amusing, gladness or gaiety as shown by or accompanied with laughter

When reading this did you find this definition to be true?

It did make me wonder as Lily is older and trying to reaching her youthful blush before it leaves her and her marital prospects are getting close to zilch.

Kathy above notes that the title comes from the Bible:

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

— Ecclesiastes 7:4

I didn’t detect any mirth in Book 1. More like desperate foolishness on the part of Lily. Book 2 is titled House of Mirth. We’ll see.

I’ve just finished book one and I certainly didn’t see any mirth in it. At first I felt sorry for Lily, but I dislike her scheming and assumptions of others, I think she’s brought her troubles on herself.
I hope she makes better decisions in book two!

That is what I had heard that there wasnt much "mirth". It just made me wonder why the title.
Interesting to see Kathy and Georgina if it does appear in the second book.

My goodness what a ride of emotions, one minute I’m despising her, the next I’m rooting for her. It’s like watching a car crash unfolding! I can see so much of it coming before it hits Lily, but she does seem to be becoming a nicer character after going through her many trials. I can’t tell if all will end well or badly, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed it will all work out for her.

I agree, Georgina. It's a roller coaster ride. I found myself so frustrated with Lily at times, but I started to feel sympathy for her because she was treated so poorly by the society she was "made for."

I've finished the book and don't want to give any spoilers. The book left me with many questions to think about.

I’ve finished now too Kathy, I thought the second book was much better than the first. I didn’t know which way it was going to go, but although I did see some hints toward the ending it’s not what I was expecting. I’m also left with a lot of things to think about.
I wonder, did Edith Wharton draw from real life events? Did this happen with any young socialites at the time?

Edith Wharton grew up in New York society. Her mother didn't approve of her so she always tried to seek her approval. Edith was very imaginative and liked "making things up." I read somewhere that The House of Mirth was her attempt to come to terms with being a woman and an artist.

I think the book is a satire but also a character study of Lily Bart, who was also conflicted about her wants and needs and the society which was so structured. I ended up admiring Lily. How did you feel about her, Georgina?

Unfortunately, I doubt I will be reading this for about a week now. Working all weekend and through next week. Love Election time. Hate Election Night (too long of a day and too much responsibility when your dead on your feet at 1 in the morning)!

Finished and also felt it was a roller-coaster... as her peace with herself became more solid her world became more spartan? Or vice versa?!

Kathy wrote: "Edith Wharton grew up in New York society. Her mother didn't approve of her so she always tried to seek her approval. Edith was very imaginative and liked "making things up." I read somewhere that ..."
I really admired her too in the end. I prefer books that portray life with all the downs as well as ups rather than ones where you know it’s going to work out for them in the end, I find it keeps my attention if I have no idea what’s going to happen.
A great book and I’ll definitely read more of hers, thank you :)

Lesle wrote: "Unfortunately, I doubt I will be reading this for about a week now. Working all weekend and through next week. Love Election time. Hate Election Night (too long of a day and too much responsibility..."

Hope the election goes well, Lesle. I'll look forward to more of your comments about The House of Mirth.

I thought Wharton did an excellent job of introducing Lily as a decorative, easily dismissed, bit of fluff, and gradually scraping away this layer to reveal the strength of character beneath. In the beginning, I really didn't like her much, but I really admired her when she was trying to support herself. It was sad when she came to the realization that she had been raised to be an amusing ornament, and that there really was no other place where she would fit in. I can't help but wonder if her (view spoiler)[ overdose was completely an accident. (hide spoiler)]

Suki wrote: "I thought Wharton did an excellent job of introducing Lily as a decorative, easily dismissed, bit of fluff, and gradually scraping away this layer to reveal the strength of character beneath. In th..."

Good description of Wharton revealing the character of Lily.

I finished also. Will review soon. I liked this more than the Age of Innocence and less than Ethan Frome.

I read this book for a challenge three years ago and fell deeply in love. I can still recall the details as if I just read and finished. A beautiful heartwarming book it is. My favourite by Edith Wharton.

I know I am late into this but am truly hoping things stay settled enough today that I can start reading this one.

I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts and helps to keep me motivated to read.

I did have a hard time with the read itself. I could only read a few chapters at a time. I was easily distracted.

Lily what can I say. A lovely lady, a bit selfish at times.
Lawrence I think would have been perfect for her except for the lack of funding but it did not stop him from circulating with the right society.

People and Lily's antics (white lies) would throw her way off. She was even used as a distraction for another, which was down right wrong. She did find strength in her fears.

I wanted her to be with Seldon.
The other experiences just were irratating.
I was really taken aback by the ending.

I propbably will reread this at a later date, not sure if the life situations going on made it hard for me to give it a fair chance.

I'll probably read this again too, Lesle. But further in the future when life gets back to normal.

I agree totally Kathy.