Every week, Marilyn Knapp Litt, who blogs at ClassicKindle.com, brings us her recommendation of a free classic book to discover (or rediscover) on Kindle. Find more of Marilyn’s recommendations at her blog, ClassicKindle.com, a guide to the best free and inexpensive classic literature for the Kindle. You can also get Marilyn’s blog on Kindle and I recommend that you “Like” the Classic Kindle Facebook page as well so you don’t miss anything. Here’s Marilyn’s post:

House of Mirth is one of those “novel of manners” books. Written in 1905 by Edith Wharton, the novel is set in New York society. It shares something in tone, I think with The Great Gatsby. Both books are, in part, about social climbing.

It is a very well written book, although I did not find the heroine too likable. But then loving the characters is not always the point.

You can tell right from the first paragraphs that this is a good narrative with well-defined characters, so I will leave you there . . .

Selden paused in surprise. In the afternoon rush of the Grand Central Station his eyes had been refreshed by the sight of Miss Lily Bart.

It was a Monday in early September, and he was returning to his work from a hurried dip into the country; but what was Miss Bart doing in town at that season? If she had appeared to be catching a train, he might have inferred that he had come on her in the act of transition between one and another of the country-houses which disputed her presence after the close of the Newport season; but her desultory air perplexed him. She stood apart from the crowd, letting it drift by her to the platform or the street, and wearing an air of irresolution which might, as he surmised, be the mask of a very definite purpose. It struck him at once that she was waiting for some one, but he hardly knew why the idea arrested him. There was nothing new about Lily Bart, yet he could never see her without a faint movement of interest: it was characteristic of her that she always roused speculation, that her simplest acts seemed the result of far-reaching intentions.

An impulse of curiosity made him turn out of his direct line to the door, and stroll past her. He knew that if she did not wish to be seen she would contrive to elude him; and it amused him to think of putting her skill to the test.

Download your free copy of  “House of Mirth” by Edith Wharton here >>>

Every Friday, Marilyn Knapp Litt, who blogs at ClassicKindle.com, brings us her recommendation of a free classic book to discover (or rediscover) on Kindle. Find more of Marilyn’s recommendations at her blog, ClassicKindle.com, a guide to the best free and inexpensive classic literature for the Kindle. You can also get Marilyn’s blog on Kindle and I recommend that you “Like” the Classic Kindle Facebook page as well so you don’t miss anything. Here’s Marilyn’s post:

Wife in Name Only by Charlotte M. Brame; a novel written before 1884, the date of the author’s death.

This novel begins with a relic from a bygone time, a practicing physician living in poverty. One of those helpful Amazon reviewers calls it a romance with gothic overtones.

“I am the doctor,” he replied, quietly.
“Then for Heaven’s sake, help me! I am almost mad. My wife has been suddenly taken ill, and I have been to the hotel, where they tell me they have not a room in which they can lodge her. The thing is incredible. You must help me.”
“I will do what I can,” returned the doctor. Had fortune indeed knocked at his door at last?

And shortly, a confession, and a request:

I know perfectly well what these little country towns are–everything is a source of gossip and sensation. If it were known that such an incident as this had happened to me, the papers would be filled with it; and it might fall out that my father, the earl, would come to know of it before I myself could tell him. We had better take all proper precautions against such a thing. I should prefer that we be known here only as Mr. and Mrs. Charlewood. No one will think of connecting the surname with the title.”

Hmmm, does he sound trustworthy? Nothing like a suspenseful novel as the nights grow more chilly . . .

Download your free copy of “Wife in Name Only” by Charlotte M. Brame here >>>