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Title: Must be one of the author's early (weaker) works
Review: In this novel, the protagonist's decline and fall seems as obvious and predictable as that of a Greek tragedy. Despite the author's ironic commentary, which is not as sophisticated in this book as in some of her other novels, the reader is left wondering just what is wrong with Lily Bart and her unmerited, overweening pride? Plot slows down to a crawl about half-way through, despite the engaging & entertaining glimpses into high society at the time Wharton was writing, and finally gets absolutely predictable. Still, worth a read if you're just discovering Wharton. Characters relatively interesting, if somewhat mawkish. Continue with her better books, however, like CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRY, ETHAN FROME, and THE AGE OF INNOCENCE. 2* instead of 3* because of predictable ending.
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