The House of Mirth

By: Edith Wharton

Narrated by: Eleanor Bron

Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

Beautiful, sophisticated and endlessly ambitious Lily Bart endeavours to climb the social ladder of New York's elite by securing a good match and living beyond her means.

Now nearing 30 years of age and having rejected several proposals, forever in the hope of finding someone better, her future prospects are threatened.

A damning commentary of 20th-century social order, Edith Wharton's tale established her as one of the greatest British novelists of the 1900s. Taking us on a journey through lavish drawing rooms in grand country houses to cold and menacing boarding houses, Wharton addresses the consequences awaiting those who openly dared to challenge the status quo.

First published in serial form, The House of Mirth contributed significantly to Edith Wharton's already substantial riches. Accustomed to living a life of privilege, Wharton was able to foster her creative talents from a young age.

Working as a published author from the age of 18, Wharton's story is as intriguing and daring as her heroine's. Wedding and then divorcing Edward Wharton, her experience of marriage and consequent heartbreak is usually chronicled in her works.

Never the victim however, Wharton went on to receive multiple awards for her writing, as well as the bravery that she demonstrated during the First World War when she organised hostels for refugees, fund-raised for those in need and reported from battlefield frontlines.

Usually seen in the company of other great authors including Jack London, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Jean Cocteau, Wharton became a literary master whose skill and wit is perfectly captured in this enthralling audiobook.

Narrator Biography

Celebrated author and stage, film and television actress, Eleanor Bron, lends her iconic voice to the narration of The House of Mirth.

Best known for her roles in films such as A Little Princess, Bedazzled, Women in Love, Black Beauty and Alfie, Eleanor's career is as varied as it has been successful.

Also not a stranger to the theatre, Bron thrived in classical and modern productions of plays including The Prime of Miss Jean Brody, The Merchant of Venice, Private Lives, All About My Mother and Hedda Gabler.

A celebrated writer, Eleanor has published various titles, including Life and Other Punctures, Double Take and The Pillow Book of Eleanor Bron.

Further audiobook contributions include A Little Princess by Frances Burnett, The Aeneid by Virgil, The Parasites by Daphne du Maurier and Daniel Deronda by George Eliot.

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Foolish woman

why was Lilly so stupid. someone who hates you so bad they would deliberately go out of their way to destroy your life and reputation and you are going to protect them Just because you don't want people to know that she had an affair with a man you loved but who saw no reason to make a commitment to you. I think Lilly got Just what she deserved, sucha silly woman.

Beautifully narrated story

The first time I read this classic and I want to listen to it all over again… A beautiful and well written story about a young woman in New York

fast-paced detailed must read

struggled a bit with the details coming so quickly! now that I'm finished with it, I'm a bit lost. I got very attached to the characters . I'm so grateful this was recommended to me.

Insightful Exploration of her Character’s Motivations

Eleanor Bron’s reading is superb. An enjoyable read. Marred somewhat by over-sentimentality for contemporary tastes. Nevertheless, the characterization, plotting and descriptions are a delight. The super rich of this novel differ in motivation from today’s super wealthy, but they share the moral defects of vapid pursuit of luxury and insensitivity to the efforts of the working people who make their soft lives possible.

A great classic read

Edith Wharton did an amazing job giving an account of Society in 1905. Her ability to bring humor and genuine feelings of both men and women was superb.

Edith and Eleanor are a perfect pairing

A masterful reading of a masterful commentary of society. She brought the characters to life and me to tears.

Superb Narrator for Wharton’s Best

I’ve read HOUSE OF MIRTH at least twice before. But Eleanor Bron’s sensitive, insightful reading brought out so many nuances I never noticed before. Her reading of the ending was transcendent. One of my best audiobook experiences.

A hauntingly beautiful story ....

The House of Mirth is my favorite Edith Wharton novel. I read and was enraptured by the book years ago, and I later became a fan of the 2000 film version. I don't see the point of retelling the plot in this kind of review. For those who are interested, I recommend reading (and especially listening to) the book before seeing the movie. I believe the film is generally successful with wonderful visuals, an inspired choice of casting and overall tone that captures the spirit and sensibilities of the novel. But listening to The House of Mirth was a much finer and fulfilling experience. This is a masterful performance by a narrator whose voice is modulate and appropriately cultured to convey the charms and treacheries of high society life in turn-of-the-century New York. Of course, it is a beautifully written book, with elegantly composed passages that stir and swell the story. I was absorbed in the curious turns and vanities of the heroine, Lily Bart, and while I never "like" her, I could not help but worry and wish for a better outcome for her. A great part of my enjoyment of this and other Wharton novels is the era of splendor that shape the stories. I have a fascination for 19th and early 20th century life in America, and I read a lot of non-fiction and historical works about the Gilded Age. Tycoons, industrialists, suffragettes, heiresses, artists, writers, presidents, dynastic families, immigrants, movers and shakers - they are captivating characters who made the era a conglomeration of progress and intended and unintended debasements. The House of Mirth is an exquisite sampling of upper crust society told through the fictional travails of a woman trying to hold her place among the haughty. It is a harrowing quest for a woman with no husband and no money of her own. Ms. Wharton is unsparing in her depiction of Miss Bart as a futilely aimed person. She reigns and falls in a web of characters who do not seek or have redeeming qualities. There are no great heroes, but they are great fun.

Great narration, gripping story

Transcends the novel-of-manners about aristocrats genre....a study of human relationships and pride. Won't forget for a long time. Narrator does a great job differentiating among characters without falling into caricature.

Brilliantly written tragedy

This is one of the best novels of its day.
The reader is outstanding.
A beautiful refined woman without means is trapped into maintaining her status in shallow New York society, staves off male predators, and waffles on marriage prospects for financial rescue rather than happiness. The influence of friend Seldon helps her maintain the honor which only she knows has been kept up to the very end.
The characters of men, women and both classes are complex and beautifully drawn, there is no typecasting here, nor shallowness. It's loaded with ironies.
It takes a brilliant writer like Wharton to convey the details of her story within late 19th century New York life in such a compelling way.
Hard to stop listening,