The House of Mirth


Read by Elizabeth Klett

(4.6 stars; 634 reviews)

The House of Mirth (1905), by Edith Wharton, is a novel about New York socialite Lily Bart attempting to secure a husband and a place in rich society. It is one of the first novels of manners in American literature, and one of the first to openly explore how American Victorian society offered little social mobility for women. (Summary from Wikipedia). (0 hr 32 min)

Chapters

Book One – Chapter 01 27:10 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book One – Chapter 02 20:22 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book One – Chapter 03 33:24 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book One – Chapter 04 26:54 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book One – Chapter 05 28:05 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book One – Chapter 06 26:44 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book One – Chapter 07 24:48 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book One – Chapter 08 28:24 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book One – Chapter 09 28:49 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book One – Chapter 10 20:35 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book One – Chapter 11 18:46 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book One – Chapter 12 25:28 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book One – Chapter 13 23:50 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book One – Chapter 14 44:04 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book One – Chapter 15 28:07 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book Two – Chapter 01 29:46 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book Two – Chapter 02 32:18 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book Two – Chapter 03 29:10 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book Two – Chapter 04 24:23 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book Two – Chapter 05 23:22 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book Two – Chapter 06 27:03 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book Two – Chapter 07 19:24 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book Two – Chapter 08 28:21 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book Two – Chapter 09 21:28 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book Two – Chapter 10 34:07 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book Two – Chapter 11 18:34 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book Two – Chapter 12 14:28 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book Two – Chapter 13 31:03 Read by Elizabeth Klett
Book Two – Chapter 14 13:42 Read by Elizabeth Klett

Reviews

Elizabeth Klett is amazing


(5 stars)

I enjoyed this book, although at parts it seemed to start to drag. However - with Elizabeth Klett reading, it is easy to stay engaged. She really has done some terrific work with Librivox and I find myself searching by her name as the reader to find my next book. So if you read these reviews, thank you Elizabeth for all the wonderful reading you do. I know it's time consuming, but please know it is much appreciated. Thank you.

I liked it.


(4 stars)

I found this book interesting to listen too, but it will not be everybody's cup of tea. The storyline had enough twists and turns to keep me coming back for more. Even though the end of the book is foreseeable, in the last few chapters, it still packs a punch that will keep me thinking about this book for a while.

Compelling & Ruthless Truth about Society


(5 stars)

The author describes the narrow-minded, and, ubiquitous beliefs, of every branch in our Societal heritage, concerning a young Woman's behavior. The consequences, to not only ones self, and Family, were harsh, and reputations suffered permanently.

A Timeless Lesson in Tenderness


(5 stars)

Listening to this audio book, as read by Elizabeth Klett, should be made compulsory for every man. It is a timeless, compelling reminder of our need to hold on to or regain our apprehension of tender femininity. An apprehension that is lost through the persuasion of our gender in our formative years, much as our apprehension of the sentience of all creatures is lost through the observation of cruelty.

Hauntingly Eloquent


(5 stars)

Elizabeth Klett gives a superb reading of this hauntingly eloquent novel. I loved this book for reasons I can't quite identify just yet. I was moved beyond words, to my core. The characters are so well drawn as to be real. Lilly will be with me forever and I already miss her.

Interesting read


(4.5 stars)

Not one of my favourites but Elizabeth as always brings it to life! Loved listening to it!

Exquisitely nuanced


(5 stars)

Even though I had read reviews of The House of Mirth, I was not prepared for the exquisitely nuanced beauty of the writing and its narration. Because this is a classic work, I don’t feel a need to extensively review the novel itself (and, in fact, have read only a few myself). For my part I will say that if you are a lover of lyrical writing that transforms you to another place of outer and inner experience, then you will most likely enjoy this book. The reviews I did read mentioned the sadness that deepens with the advancement of the story, so I don’t feel that it is a spoiler that I mention this. I believe that, despite the many missteps that may be viewed as tragic, if one looks at a deeper, underlying meaning, there may be a redemptive quality in the choices made by the novel’s heroine. Something finally demonstrated in its wholeness in the remaining several minutes of the book’s ending. Elizabeth Klett once again shows her striking abilities at narration, very much living up to the lyrical qualities of the writing itself. If you read this, Ms. Klett, I want to express my gratitude at your generosity in bringing alive so many books for readers around the world. Yours it a great service, and sacrifice.

follows a life as it falls from graces


(5 stars)

as always, the reader did a fantastic job. the audio quality, characterization of voices, volume, pausing, pitch, pace - the reader is an artist painting the pictures of the book! this book has a little romance in it, but it tells such a story at the same time of society and parties and backstabbing friends - that i think men and women both would enjoy it. such a tragedy, records the falls from wealth and power. the temptations of easy ways out of financial difficulties. and leaves you wanting to slap some sense into a variety of characters.