The House of Mirth is my very favorite Edith Wharton novel and one of my most favorite books of all time. Having read her biography, I can see a lot of Wharton in Lily, the main character, and Wharton’s struggle against the role women played in early 20th century New York society. Although the story is of a certain time and offensive references to a Jewish man date the book, Lily’s battle as a woman who was “brought up to be ornamental” but wants to be so much more than her friends and peers will allow is a struggle that I think is still relatable.