House of Mirth

"The House of Mirth" by Edith Wharton is a novel about Lily Bart, a beautiful and intelligent woman navigating New York society at the turn of the 20th century. It explores themes of social status, materialism, and personal integrity, highlighting how societal pressures and her own choices lead to her decline. Lily seeks love and security but is often constrained by her desire for social acceptance, ultimately facing tragic consequences. The story offers a keen critique of the superficiality and moral complexities of upper-class life during that era.