Summary of The House of Mirth & The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

Dive into Edith Wharton's 'The House of Mirth' and 'The Age of Innocence' for a thrilling exploration of love, societal expectations, and drama!

Oh, Edith Wharton, where do we even start? The woman was practically the queen of upper-class melodrama, and in The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence, she serves us a delightful dish of social faux pas, moral decay, and the all-too-real consequences of loving the wrong person (or the wrong social standing, but who's counting?). So, grab a cup of tea and let's dive into this unbelievable whirlwind of social climbing and intrigue!

First up, we have The House of Mirth. Our leading lady is none other than Lily Bart, a socialite who's one part beauty and two parts tragedy, stuck in the suffocating constraints of early 20th-century New York society. Spoiler alert: she's not going to win any awards for common sense, which is why we love her! Lily spends the book trying to secure a wealthy husband - because, of course, what else could a girl possibly want? But she's also haunted by the unfortunate combination of a lack of funds and an avalanche of bad decisions.

As she bounces between social gatherings-attending parties, flouting her charms, and trying not to trip over her own snobbishness-Lily also faces some rather unpleasant truths about her supposed friends and family. The snickering gossip and harsh judgment that engulf her make her life about as glamorous as a mud pit at a fashion show. In a twist of fate, she finds herself in love with the one man who can't seem to put a ring on it: Lawrence Selden, who also has the emotional range of a teaspoon.

Let's be real; this relationship could use a good therapy session or two. Spoiler aside, their tumultuous connection is dotted with missed opportunities, misunderstandings, and a final act that will make you wonder if anyone in high society ever truly finds happiness-or if they all just end up melancholic and alone, sipping bitter tea. Wink wink!

Now, onto The Age of Innocence. This book is a little less tragic but no less intense. Follow Newland Archer, a man who's stuck between the allure of passion (Hello, countess!) and the oppressive weight of societal expectations (Hello, fiancée!). It's like watching someone balance a flaming sword while riding a unicycle on a tightrope-thrilling and nerve-wracking!

Archer is ready to shake up the stuffy boundaries of the upper class, but he's also terrified of being ostracized by the very people whose opinions govern his life. Who knew New York society could be such a buzzkill? While he secretly pines for the exotic Ellen Olenska, a woman who's daring enough to express her individuality (gasp!), he finds himself locked in a battle with tradition, propriety, and his own fears.

The narratives of both books intertwine through the same social circles, highlighting the absurdities and unspeakable pressures of high society. Spoiler time! While Archer kind of gets his moment of realizing "maybe I should just follow my heart," it doesn't exactly end with a Disney-style happily ever after. Well, well, well-shocking, eh?

Both The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence capture the spirit of a bygone era with a tinge of sarcasm and a whole lot of subtle drama. They hold a mirror to the absurdities of societal expectations and the relentless pursuit of love and acceptance, all while keeping readers entertained.

So there you have it! A whirlwind of delightful heartbreak, scandal, and that sweet, sweet feeling of knowing you dodged all those societal landmines. Thanks, Edith, for opening the curtain to this chaotic house of cards that society calls home!

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.