Wharton's most famous novel is The House of Mirth (1905), which tells the story of Lily Bart, a beautiful and ambitious young woman who falls victim to the social conventions of her time. Other notable works by Wharton include:
- Ethan Frome (1911)
- The Custom of the Country (1913)
- The Age of Innocence (1920)
- The Glimpses of the Moon (1922)
- Twilight Sleep (1927)
- The Buccaneers (1938)
Wharton's writing is characterized by its beauty of style, its psychological depth, and its social commentary. She is considered one of the most important American writers of the early 20th century.