Novels: The House of Mirth / The Reef / The Custom of the Country / The Age of Innocence (Library of America Edith Wharton Edition)

Giving credit where credit is due, I have to say it's pretty impressive that the publishers managed to fit these 4 novels into 1 book. But, as noted by others, this came at the high price of abnormally small (and unreadable) print. After "seeing this" myself, I wound up ordering the Kindle edition. And I would recommend anyone considering buying a hard copy of this book to get a "pre-view" before purchasing. For the record, Waugh is one of my favorite authors, and while I've not yet read the stories contained in this book, they are definitely on my "to do list".

Edith Wharton Novels are Sad but Amazing! So much attention to detail and understanding of one's own background, culture, mores and constraints. She plays the fine line between social constraints and personal will and desire for freedom in every novel. I enjoy her writing.

Edith Wharton is sometimes called the female Henry James, and there's an element of truth in this, because both write almost exclusively about the upper classes.James clearly was a great artist, even though at least half of his output is unreadable expect by professors or English Lit completists. Wharton's virtues are modest by comparison, and I would say that unless you have a particular interest in the period and the people she writes about (as did, for example, Louis Auchincloss), she won't hold your interest.Her later novels, written after the four included in this volume, are a genuine falling-off. I defy anyone other than an academic to read them.Not a great writer, in my humble opinion, and the fact that she's included in the "Library of America" indicates the paucity of major literary talents in the 19th/early 20th century American scene.

Quick shipment and delivery. Condition of book was better than described. I am very satisfied and will in the future look for this seller. Thanks

Of course her writing is 5 stars. I love going from a recently written novel to one of hers (or Henry James for instance), and having to really concentrate rather than skim, reread sentences and paragraphs in order to get to the depths, and get to know each character as if there were not going to be an upcoming movie. The book itself is well-printed - no sentences falling off into the crease - and as far as I can see, no typo's. My arthritic hands would have preferred each novel by itself, with one volume of the shorter stories. But you get a lot for your money with this book, so ignore my complaint.

A delightful look at a long past way of life by an author of the era. Her brief, admiring reference to Theodore Roosevelt showed that, like him, she understood that, as Bob Dylan sang, “the times they are a changing”.

Wouldn't have chosen this without it being on my book club list - I'm so glad i read it. It's beautifully written and is a cautionary tale for any woman, especially young women, about how important it is to live within your means so you're not beholden to others. It inspired me to read more about the life of Edith Wharton too and learn how she - an women of wealth and independent means - lived her own life.

This edition of the 4 novels, while cost-effective, is not user-friendly at all. The font is 8-point (extremely tiny) . Chapter headings are not properly spaced; I wonder if any human actually viewed the proofs--this is very sad, in that Edith Wharton herself, when these works were first published, cared quite a bit about typography and errors. Here, it appears that the text was simply machine-read into this edition. Each novel does not even deserve its own header--so if you open the book at random you have no idea which novel you are in, because the header says only "Edith Wharton".I only bought this in order to have a compact edition to read on the plane. Can't wait to throw it on the donation pile when I'm done.

Certainly an age among the wealthy classes of New York which managed to adhere to conventions and extreme morals of the time, yet at the risk of scandal, wIlling to forego life time dreams and promises. The love affair which was doomed from the outset, was mainly hampered by Archer's ill-timed marriage to innocent youngling, and seemed a good idea at the time. But swiftly realising his mistake, when May revealed herself to be the steady unambitious cosseted creature she was. And yet astute enough to subtly end the star- crossed romance. She had enormous influential family support. And Archer, withdrew from the love of his life.He was given a last chance to meet with Ellen, but declined, probably because of wasted years too many to contemplate.

Sorry - love Edith Wharton novels but as specified by other reviewers the typeface is so tiny it’s just impossible to decipher and totally detracts from what are brilliant novels

I am sending this back as the typeface is so small I simply can’t read it. What a shame to spoil a great author by such a silly economy. It is a very badly produced edition, spacing odd in chapter divisions, no titles on the header etc.Generally very disappointed.

Great set of novels in excellent condition at a very good price.

very disappointed as the font is miniscule and requires a magnifying lens to read . a rip off