THE HOUSE OF MIRTH

Ecclesiastes puts it this way: "The heart of fools is in the house of mirth," and Edith Wharton’s 1905 classic reinforces this precept. Set in that time, the novel deals with the idle rich, save for protagonist Lily Bart, one of literature’s great heroines, whose beauty and wit provide some, but not enough, compensation for her lack of money. Lily’s misadventures create a shifting mix of poignancy, sadness, exhilaration, pity, even fear--for her and for the listener, who is well served in this audiobook by the truly marvelous narration of Anna Fields. She perfectly captures Lily and a largish cast, discriminating among them with such skill that you’ll believe you’re hearing a full-cast recording. Wharton’s book, though dated, is fine, and Fields makes it even finer. T.H. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 02]