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The House of Mirth
- Narrated by: Eleanor Bron
- Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins
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The House of Mirth
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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.
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What listeners say about The House of Mirth
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Buyergalore
- 15-10-22
Brilliant
To discover this so late in life. But so glad I have. Observational skills and turn of phrase beyond compare. So sharp, so apt. I have adopted the reason for late rising
“ My doctor forbids me to partake of the awful morning airs” ( sic). I love words so much and so did she. ,
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- mme
- 07-04-13
Wonderful listening
Having read and listened to the book The House of Mirth, I can recommend this title for anyone who appreciates the beauty of Edith Wharton's prose. Nothing is lost and the characterisation and accent are totally in keeping with the time period of the story. This book is a classic example of Wharton's style, dramatic irony, telling the tale of Lily Bart, beautiful, witty and sophisticated, who dares to claim the privileges of marriage without assuming the responisbilities. This will lead to her downfall. The book is long but the words are carefully chosen and the change of settings and situations keep the listener totally absorbed.
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9 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jane @The Owl Pen
- 23-05-13
Not a bundle of laughs
Although the title may be deceptive (the central character, Lily Bart, comes to a tragic end), this is a beautifully written book, superbly interpreted by the reader, Eleanor Bron. Edith Wharton is an easier to read version of Henry James, and depicts brilliantly the vanity and hypocrisy of American society at the beginning of the 20th century. Well worth listening to.
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7 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- JD
- 23-10-23
Heartbreaking
Perhaps I’m over emotional today but this story was almost overwhelming in its sadness and perspicacity. Sharp, clever, intelligent.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lizzy Rain
- 15-04-24
Slow start for me, but in the end
I enjoyed it. so well written although in the flowery language of a different era. It doesn't matter if you lived in the Gilded Age or present day or your wealth or social standing - love, loyalty and people with two faces remain.
I wasn't prepared for the ending though. I had a couple of scenarios in mind, this wasn't one of them. Eleanor Bron's narration was magnificent.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- jo williams
- 14-03-24
Best audiobook
This book has everything. Character development is wonderful, the story beautifully developed and engaging, all bought together by professional narration. Totally engaged right through-I felt like I was stood next to the characters on many occasions. Brilliant!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- M. B. Smith
- 22-10-21
Great performance by Eleanor Bron
Bron really brings this excellent novel to life . Great reading and terrific characterisation with a real sense of the humour and pathos.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- d
- 07-04-20
just a bit too long. a good edit is needed.
well written but it goes on for too long which makes it hard to keep track of people and who did what when with whom.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 18-10-20
A classic
Wharton's wonderfully accessible prose, even for today. Hard to think of a better narrator than Ms Bron.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mrs White
- 06-07-22
Brilliant story, tainted only by anti-Semitism
It’s easy to see why The House Of Mirth is hailed as a classic but also why it might now have fallen out of favour. The portrayal of Simon Rosedale and his ‘Jewishness’ is ugly and jarring in an otherwise exquisitely drawn study of late 19th century society manners.
Eleanor Bros is sublime.
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