The House of Mirth
The House of Mirth, published in 1905, was Edith Wharton's first great success and her first full portrait of the New York society she had been born into. Lily Bart is twenty-nine, beautiful, well connected and poor, trained for nothing but a brilliant marriage and unable, when it comes to the point, to make one. A gambling debt, a loan from a married man that she misunderstands, a packet of compromising letters, and the malice of a woman she has crossed carry her step by step down from the great houses to a boarding house and a job trimming hats. Lawrence Selden, who sees her clearly and loves her too cautiously, watches it happen. Wharton called it a tragedy of a frivolous society. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The House of Mirth
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The House of Mirth online?
Yes. The House of Mirth opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The House of Mirth free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The House of Mirth is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The House of Mirth in the public domain?
Yes. The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The House of Mirth?
About 8 h 41 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The House of Mirth?
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
