The four novels in this Library of America volume show Wharton at the height of her powers as a social observer and critic, examining American and European lives with a vision rich in detail, satire, and tragedy. In all of them her strong and autobiographical impulse is disciplined by her writer's craft and her unfailing regard for her audience. The House of Mirth (1905), Wharton's tenth book and her first novel of contemporary life, was an immediate runaway bestseller, with 140,000 copies in print within three months of ...
Read More
The four novels in this Library of America volume show Wharton at the height of her powers as a social observer and critic, examining American and European lives with a vision rich in detail, satire, and tragedy. In all of them her strong and autobiographical impulse is disciplined by her writer's craft and her unfailing regard for her audience. The House of Mirth (1905), Wharton's tenth book and her first novel of contemporary life, was an immediate runaway bestseller, with 140,000 copies in print within three months of publication. The story of young Lily Bart and her tragic sojourn among the upper class of turn-of-the-century New York, it touches on the insidious effects of social convention and upon the sexual and financial aggression to which women of independent spirit were exposed. The Reef (1912) is the story of two couples whose marriage plans are upset by the revelation of a past affair between George Darrow (a mature bachelor) and Sophy Vener, who happens to be the fianc�e of his future wife's stepson. Henry James called the novel "a triumph of method," and it shares the rich nuance of his own The Golden Bowl . The Custom of the Country (1913) is the amatory saga of Undine Spragg of Apex City--beautiful, spoiled, and ambitious--whose charms conquer New York and European society. Vulgar and voracious, she presides over a series of men, representing the old and new aristocracies of both continents, in a comedy drawn unmistakably from life. The Age of Innocence (1920) is set in the New York of Wharton's youth, when the rules and taboos of her social "tribe" held as-yet unchallenged sway. A quasi-anthropological study of a remembered culture and its curious conventions, it tells the story of the Countess Olenska (formerly Ellen Mingott), refugee from a disastrous European marriage, and Newland Archer, heir to a tradition of respectability and family honor, as they struggle uneasily against their sexual attraction. LIBRARY OF AMERICA is an independent nonprofit cultural organization founded in 1979 to preserve our nation's literary heritage by publishing, and keeping permanently in print, America's best and most significant writing. The Library of America series includes more than 300 volumes to date, authoritative editions that average 1,000 pages in length, feature cloth covers, sewn bindings, and ribbon markers, and are printed on premium acid-free paper that will last for centuries.
Read Less
Add this copy of Edith Wharton: Novels (Loa #30): the House of Mirth / to cart. $3.54, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1986 by Library of America.
Add this copy of Edith Wharton: Novels (Loa #30): the House of Mirth / to cart. $3.54, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 1986 by Library of America.
Add this copy of Novels: the House of Mirth / the Reef / the Custom of to cart. $4.80, fair condition, Sold by JuGis Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from zephyrhills, FL, UNITED STATES, published 1986 by The Library of America.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. This book is in good condition it will come with the usual Library Markings and or Library Stickers. This used book is in acceptable condition and will show wear. It could also be missing the dust cover, or boxed set case. Pages may include notes, major highlighting, or minor water damage or foxing marks but the text is readable. Item may be missing CD/DVD/codes.
Add this copy of Novels: the House of Mirth / the Reef / the Custom of to cart. $5.00, good condition, Sold by Bookmans rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Tucson, AZ, UNITED STATES, published 1986 by Library of America.
Add this copy of Novels: the House of Mirth / the Reef / the Custom of to cart. $7.26, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brooklyn Park, MN, UNITED STATES, published 1986 by The Library of America.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. Writing on one or more of the edges. This is a retired library book with typical wear/markings. May or may not have library stickers attached which will not be removed. Item has stickers or notes attached to cover and/or pages that have not been removed to prevent further damage Cover/Case has some rubbing and edgewear. Access codes, CD's, slipcovers and other accessories may not be included.
Add this copy of Novels: the House of Mirth / the Reef / the Custom of to cart. $10.00, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Ruby rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1986 by Library of America.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Wharton the House of Mirth-the Reef-the Custom of the to cart. $12.00, good condition, Sold by Ann Open Book rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lansing, MI, UNITED STATES, published 1985 by The Library of America.
Add this copy of Edith Wharton Novels the House of Mirth, the Reef, the to cart. $13.50, very good condition, Sold by Cape Cod Booksellers rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA, UNITED STATES, published 1985 by Literary Classics.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good+ in Very Good+ jacket. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. Literary Classics, 1985, 1st Edition, 8vo, 1327 pages. Book and jacket in very good+ condition.
Add this copy of Edith Wharton Novels, the House of Mirth, the Reef, the to cart. $15.00, like new condition, Sold by Cape Cod Booksellers rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA, UNITED STATES, published 1985 by The Library of America.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fine. No Jacket. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. The Library of America, 1985, First Printing, 8vo, 1328 pages. Book bound in a red cloth, no dust jacket as issued. Publlishers slip case. Book in fine condition, and slip case near fine.
Add this copy of Novels: the House of Mirth / the Reef / the Custom of to cart. $15.00, fair condition, Sold by Midtown Scholar Bookstore rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Harrisburg, PA, UNITED STATES, published 1986 by Library of America.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Fair. This is a damaged book. May be ex-library, water-damaged, or spine creased/broken. Acceptable, Reading copy only, with writing/markings and heavy wear. Standard-sized.