The Spoils of Poynton (published in 1897) - A story about the struggle between a mother and son, by Henry James

Henry James was one of the greatest literary figures of the 19th century and his works are considered mini masterpieces of the time. He was born in New York City into a wealthy and intellectual family. Young James was tutored in the many learning centers of Europe and also studied at the Harvard Law School for some time. But he liked his literary pursuits to the study of law. James preferred living in Europe than in America and even renounced his American Citizenship for its refusal to enter in to World War I. He was a regular contributor to literary magazines and started his first novel “Watch and Ward” in his early twenties. His masterpieces like “Daisy Miller” and “Portrait of a Lady” quickly followed. His protagonist are complex individuals battling personal and provincial prejudices and many a time bring about the complexities of American and European lives. Henry James died at the age of 65 and his ashes are interred at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Fleda Vetch is a principled but poor lady who is unwittingly caught between a property dispute between Mrs. Gereth and her son Owen. Owen inherits Poynton, the Jacobean Family home filled with antique treasures collected over the years by Mrs. Gereth and her late husband. Owen being the new owner wants his mother to move out so that he can bring in his bride Mona Brigstock. Mrs. Gereth reviles Mona for her coarseness and regards her as a philistine. She feels that Mona with no taste is unsuitable to oversee her treasure.



Owen asks Fleda to be the go-between and convince his mother. She is sympathetic to Mrs. Gereth, but asks her to respect Owens wishes. Mrs. Gereth finds a wonderful opportunity to save her treasures and urges Owen to marry Fleda. She even moves to a small house which later Fleda finds to be overflowing with treasures stolen from Poynton. Here Owen and Mona's engagement hit a road-block ad Mona insists on the return of the treasures. During this Owen finds Fleda's simplicity attractive and proposes to her.
Fleda does not agree to the proposal and asks Owen to personally break up with Mona for her to accept his suit. Mrs. Gereth finding Mona out of the picture returns the antiques to Poynton and goes with Fleda out of the town. But soon a telegram reaches them that Mona and Owen are married and both of them are shattered. A letter from Owen reaches Fleda, thanking her for her effort and he asks her to pick an antique of her choice as a keepsake. Fleda on reaching Poynton finds it completely gutted by fire and is left to stare at the timing of fate.
This novel had appeared in a serialized version for the Atlantic Monthly and later was published as a novel. James chronicles the tendency of acquisition among us and derides the act of collection of treasures. His indictment is stronger for Mrs. Gereth who puts her antiques above her relationships. Personally I find the principled Fleda, not very attractive as she keeps on wavering her stand. Owen would be better of marrying Mona because she knows her mind even though it is about money. This novel with such a comic theme is a must for all Henry James's fans.