The House of Mirth (1905), the bestseller that established Wharton's reputation, recounts the story of the beguiling Lily Bart, whose efforts to retain her class standing by marrying a man of sufficient means and status are her ultimate undoing. The Custom of the Country (1913) is the saga of the ruthlessly grasping Undine Spragg, who cycles through husband after husband in a vain attempt at happiness; alas, whatever she can't have is what she most desires. The Age of Innocence (1920), winner of the Pulitzer Prize, presents a masterly portrait of desire and betrayal in which the young lawyer Newland Archer must choose between duty and love.