Why You Should Read Edith Wharton: Her Best Novels

If you’ve ever felt like modern literature just doesn’t quite cut it when it comes to depth, wit, and razor-sharp social commentary, then Edith Wharton is your missing piece. She isn’t just another writer from the dusty shelves of history—she’s a storyteller who knew how to dissect the human heart and expose society’s hypocrisies like a surgeon with a scalpel. So, why should you read Edith Wharton? Let’s dive in.

Table of Contents

Who Was Edith Wharton?

Edith Wharton (1862–1937) was an American novelist, short story writer, and designer who became one of the most important literary voices of the early twentieth century. Born into a wealthy and distinguished New York family, she grew up surrounded by privilege, which gave her a close view of the elite social world she would later critique so brilliantly in her fiction. Unlike many women of her time, Wharton broke away from the expectations placed upon her, forging a career as a writer at a moment when women’s voices were often dismissed.

Her works are celebrated for their elegance, psychological depth, and sharp social commentary. Wharton’s novels explore the intricate dynamics of wealth, class, love, and duty, often revealing the hidden hypocrisies behind polished manners and glittering settings. 

Beyond literature, Wharton was deeply interested in architecture, interior design, and travel, passions that often found their way into her writing. She also played an active humanitarian role during World War I, organising relief efforts in France, where she spent much of her adult life. 

By the time of her death in 1937, she had established herself not only as a pioneering female author but also as one of America’s greatest literary figures. Her stories remain as relevant today as they were a century ago, offering timeless insights into the human condition.

She Wrote About Real People, Not Fairy Tales

Wharton didn’t sugarcoat life. Her characters are complex, flawed, and painfully relatable. They’re not heroes and villains in the black-and-white sense; they’re people trying to survive in a world of rigid expectations. If you’ve ever felt torn between duty and desire, or trapped by what society says you should do, you’ll find a friend in Wharton’s stories.

She Was the Queen of Social Commentary

Think of Edith Wharton as the Jane Austen of America—but sharper and a little more cynical. While Austen poked fun at the marriage market of Regency England, Wharton took a scalpel to the glittering world of New York’s high society in the Gilded Age. Her novels peel back the polished surface to reveal the hypocrisy, greed, and power games underneath. If you like stories that hold up a mirror to human behaviour, Wharton is your woman.

Her Writing Feels Shockingly Modern

Yes, her books are over a century old, but the themes still slap today. Gender roles? Check. Class struggles? Check. The crushing weight of other people’s opinions? Double check. Wharton’s stories feel timeless because the issues she explored—love versus duty, money versus happiness, freedom versus conformity—are still the same battles we fight in the 21st century.

She Blends Beauty With Brutality

Wharton’s prose is elegant, almost poetic, but don’t be fooled. She could describe a dinner party with the same intensity as a battlefield. She gives you lush descriptions of ballrooms and mansions, but then cuts to the raw truth about loneliness, betrayal, and sacrifice. Reading her is like sipping champagne that suddenly burns like whiskey.

Most Notable Novels

1. The House of Mirth (1905)

This was Wharton’s first major success. It follows Lily Bart, a beautiful socialite navigating New York’s upper-class society. It’s a devastating look at how money, class, and reputation can destroy a woman’s chances at happiness.

2. Ethan Frome (1911)

Quite different from her society novels, this short but haunting book is set in rural New England. It tells the tragic story of Ethan, a man trapped in a loveless marriage, who falls in love with another woman. It’s stark, bleak, and unforgettable.

3. The Custom of the Country (1913)

This biting novel introduces Undine Spragg, one of Wharton’s most fascinating (and infuriating) characters. Ambitious, selfish, and determined to climb the social ladder, Undine represents the ruthless pursuit of wealth and status.

4. The Age of Innocence (1920)

Probably her most famous work—and the one that won her the Pulitzer Prize. It explores love, duty, and societal pressure in Gilded Age New York, centering on Newland Archer, his fiancée May Welland, and the unconventional Countess Ellen Olenska.

RELATED:

Review: The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

5. Summer (1917)

Sometimes called the “hot Ethan Frome,” this novel follows Charity Royall, a young woman longing for freedom and love in a stifling small town. It’s bold for its time, exploring themes of sexuality and independence.

6. Old New York (1924)

This isn’t one novel but a collection of four novellas that together paint a portrait of New York society across different decades. It shows Wharton’s range and her ability to capture how society evolved (or didn’t).

7. Twilight Sleep (1927)

A later novel that satirises the 1920s Jazz Age, filled with characters obsessed with health fads, psychoanalysis, and distraction—showing Wharton wasn’t stuck in the past but kept her finger on the pulse of changing times.

She Broke Barriers for Women Writers

Here’s a fun fact: Edith Wharton was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (in 1921, for The Age of Innocence). At a time when women’s voices were often dismissed, she proved that a woman could not only write literature that mattered but also redefine what American literature looked like. If you’re passionate about trailblazers, reading Wharton isn’t just enjoyable—it’s empowering.

Her Stories Will Make You Think

Edith Wharton doesn’t hand you easy answers. Instead, she makes you wrestle with big questions: Should you follow your heart, or stick to duty? Is freedom worth loneliness? Does society shape us, or do we shape society? Her books aren’t just stories; they’re intellectual workouts that stay with you long after you’ve closed the cover.

Conclusion

So, why should you read Edith Wharton? Because she gives you more than just stories—she gives you mirrors, questions, and insights into the messy, beautiful contradictions of being human. Her writing bridges the past and present, showing us that even though fashions change, the human condition doesn’t. If you’re looking for novels that combine elegance with emotional punch, Wharton’s work is waiting for you.

FAQs

Did you like it? Pin this post for later!