The Ivory Tower (published in 1917) - A book by Henry James, posthumously published

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.
The Ivory Tower is an unfinished novel by Henry james about the unbridled greed and heavy costs money brings to the lives of men. It is brooding tale of the gilded age plutocrats who amassed a large fortune at the cost of others and are at last dying with squabbles around them. Rosanna Gaw, daughter of a wealthy financier Abel Gaw persuades her fathers estranged and dying partner to extend a welcome to his nephew from Europe. She had caused a rift between Betterman and his nephew, Gray a long time ago and wants to rectify the wrongs.



Rosanna gives Gray as he arrives, a letter from her soon fading father which details the business dealings between him and Betterman and the cause of their feud. Gray refuses to read the letter and puts it in a miniature ivory tower replica for future reference. Another two characters, Haughty Vint and Celia Fox arrive on the scene with villainous intentions. Vint is friends with Gray and has saved his life in the Alps. Cissy Fox intends to marry Gray for his fortune in-spite of never setting her eyes on him. She and Vint are possibly lovers and they discuss the money inherited by Gray and Rosanna. Soon Gaw and Betterman die and Gray inherits a large fortune. He enlists an unscrupulous Vint to manage it and renews his acquaintance with Cissy much to the chagrin of Rosanna. But at this point the novel breaks off never to be finished. But extensive notes left by James suggest a possible betrayal by Vint who is then magnanimously forgiven by Gray. It also hints the realization of the blackness of this ill gotten wealth by Gray and his reunion with Rosanna.
In-spite of its incomplete nature this book was a great success among the public and the critics. It may be a little jaded for the 21st century with its criticism of capitalism and ill gotten wealth. It seems that for all his ravings against large amount of money, Henry James had received a large advance for this novel from Scribners, his publisher. Overall an interesting book with good characterization.

The Outcry (published in 1911) - A light comedy 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.
The Outcry is a humorous novel by Henry James about the collection of art by the wealthy irrespective of their knowledge and taste. This novel was intended as a play and therefore one can find the dialogues are more prominent than the background with better banter between the characters.
Lord Theign plans to sell his paintings to Breckenridge Bender, a wealthy American Magnate who plans to collect art from across the world. Theign's elder daughter has amassed large debts by gambling and he needs money immediately to cover these costs. Bender arrives and asks for the portrait of Duchess of Waterbridge by Joshua Reynolds which Theign is loath to part. Another common fixture is Lady Sandgate who hopes to find a buyer in Bender of her great grand mother's portrait by Lawrence.



Lord John, a wealthy but slimy aristocrat is smitten by Lady Grace and plans to win her hand by smoothening out the debts. Lord Theign and his elder daughter are very much inclined to the match, but Grace declines as she feels John to be a lazy cunning man. To this convoluted scene Harry Crimble, a journalist cum art critic arrive to meet the perceptive Grace to view all the paintings at the hall. Soon he finds that the little known Morretto which Bender wants to buy is a real Mantavano who would command a higher price. He ventures his guess to Theign who is skeptical and agrees reluctantly for a expert viewing. Crimble also is against the selling of Britain's historical artefact's to the money bags of the new world.
He kicks up a storm about the sale in the British papers which sure rises to be a national thunderstorm. But Bender is only mildly amused and plans to buy if it is for sale. Lady Grace fights with Lord Theign about her rejecting of Lord John's proposal and stays with Lady Sandgate. John on the other hand hopes to make some money by brokering a deal between Bender and Theign. Grace and Crimble meanwhile realize their attraction for each other and seal it with a kiss. Theign is furious and asks Amy Sandgate for help. Slowly all things come to a clear verdict as Theign realizes the dirty game played by John. Crimble is vindicated as Theign agrees to donate the painting to the British Gallery. He persuades Lady Sandgate to do the same and marries her for her part.
This novel again takes up Henry James pet project of the clashes between the Old World Europe and the Young brash America. The trophy acquisitions were frowned upon by James and the book created a mild furore. The book compared to his other works is very short and humorous. So it is a much interesting fast paced story even thought he ending is pretty tame.

The Sense of the Past (published in 1917) - A posthumous novel 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.
The Sense of the Past is a sweet comedy where a young American travels across time to find his ancestors. This novel was published posthumously and was largely left unfinished by the author. A large break between time and errors in aligning the characters dent the image of this book. Ralph Penderel is a history buff and his treatise on how to read history when published suitably impresses a long lost relative. So Ralph is bequeathed a old London house by the relative after his death. Ralph travels to London to view the house which is now his. As he wanders across the rooms he fonds certain disturbances. This disturbances are the break in the time line and the house has the ability to transport anybody to another time zone.



Ralph meets his ancestor who has his own name and is vastly intrigued. He meets the US ambassador at the embassy to ask for help and returns to this house. But soon he is transported to the old 19th century England where his ancestors had lived. Henry James abandons this book at this stage and carried on with life. Towards his early seventies he revived this book to escape the horrors of World War I. But many feel that as a old man he did not have the energy and the technical prowess to tie the loose ends and start the novel from 1900. Instead the book makes a quantum leap to circa 1914 where Ralph is leading the life of his ancestors.
Ralph lives in 1914 england and is engaged to a woman called Molly Modmore. But he soon is attracted to her sister Nan who has a slimy suitor Cantopher Bland. As the name suggest Bland is as Bland can get and Nan soon gets entangled with Ralph. Ralph also has to contend with their fearsome brother and mother. Here the novel breaks off completely as James would be in his death bed. Extensive notes reveal that Nan gets to know that Ralph actually belongs to the 20th century and sacrifices her own happiness to return him to his own time-line. He reunites with his old flame Aurora Coyne and lives on.
This book even though unfinished held a special fascination for the readers and was well received. It was also made in to a play and would have had the approval of Henry james. A good book to enjoy.

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.

The Wings of the Dove (published in 1902) - Story of an afflicted lady, written 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.
The Wings of the Dove is one of Henry James's most acclaimed novel, incorporating the the clash of American and European sensibilities woven through a love story. Kate Croy and Merton Densher are lovers whose union has many impediments. Kate is a daughter of an impoverished, disgraced lawyer who is living with an autocratic Aunt. Her Aunt Maud Lowder bars her from having any contact with her family and Densher as they have no social standing. Kate loves Densher, but cannot bring herself to earn her aunts wrath or worse getting disinherited from her riches. So in to this conundrum, a rich American Heiress, Milly Theale arrives with her companion. She explores the London society which totally toasts her because of her money and she finds a friend in Kate.



Milly is seriously ill, even though her doctor is non-committal she feels that her days are numbered and confides many of her secrets to Kate. Kate comes to know that Milly's old flame is none other than Densher and she formulates a audacious plan which may leave the two lovers free to marry after all. Kate conceals her love for Densher and encourages him to shower attentions on Milly. An unsuspecting Milly falls for the trap and for Densher. She travels to Venice with Densher and Kate in tow. Here Kate confides to Densher that Milly is seriously ill and he may inherit her fortune which can enable him to marry her.
Milly but comes to know about the love trap through her old suitor, Lord Mark and turns seriously ill. It is easy to make plans but requires mental toughness to go through it. Densher witnesses Milly's suffering and his resolve wavers and in the end it sickens him. The fact that Milly was in the know when she died cripples his conscience again. Milly still leaves a large part of her money for him and her act of forgiveness from the grave deals the ultimate blow for the well laid plans.
Densher tells Kate that she has to make a choice – it is the money or him. He is ready to bequeath all of it to Kate if she chooses the envelope over him. Kate and Densher part knowing that life would never be same for them again. This amazing story is a bit verbose and meandering, so it requires a bit of patience to keep at it. Better keep a dictionary by your side because there are a lot of tough words to decipher. But if you keep at it, you may be a part of something very beautiful and poignant. This soul stirring story is one of Henry James's best works.

The Sacred Fount (published in 1901) - A strange book, written 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.
The Sacred Fount is a theory espousing, jargon filled book by Henry James which may be incomprehensible for many. At least it was for me and to put the book down after twenty five odd pages was a real temptation. The whole book coils and uncoils like a huge python which has just eaten and just cannot do anything else. It smells the air just to satisfy the curiosity and lies down listlessly again. Even the staunchest of Henry James's fans would not be able to digest this humongous waste of paper which ultimately amounts to nothing.



The novel starts with an unnamed narrator getting on the train to Newsmarch to immerse himself in his social circle for the weekend. Many critics point out that the narrator is Henry James himself and sometimes I am not surprised. To be going to your brilliant circle who do not have much to do, but to eavesdrop on idle sexual gossip sounds to be a good time for an author. Anyways the narrator espouses a new theory that he can divine the love lives of his fellows with out any detective work, just by observation and knowledge, phew!!!!. So to prove his theory he spies on poor Gilbert Long who seems to be radiating vitality unlike his earlier avatars. So he feels that Long might be channeling some sexual energy from a poor lover like a vampire-- so the vampire theory of attraction comes to being.
He spots Mrs. Brissenden who is looking 10 years younger than her haggard earlier self. Again the vampire theory comes to the fore – that the sacred fount of sexual energy is tapped from some poor soul. He sees a lady May server looking listless and immediately deduces that she is Long's lover. Soon at the party he espouses his theory to everyone, especially a Ford Obert, about who is giving whose energy etc etc. I think it is a miracle that Ford Obert survived the weekend at Newsmarch or worse the narrator escaped from him.
So these tedious discourses do mercifully come to an end when he has a midnight encounter with Mrs. Briss, who tells him to can his bottle of worms. She essentially terms his theories utter rubbish, which is evident for the readers and tells him point blank that he is crazy. The narrator is left overwhelmed and the readers put to their hands together for the dear Mrs. Briss. If you love the inexplicable, immeasurable, unknowable and crazy arguments, this book is for you. If you are a sane, good chap you can really do with out it.

The Golden Bowl (Published in 1904) - A complex story 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.
The Golden bowl is a coming of age story of Maggie Verver who discards her childhood naiveté and assumes her marital responsibilities. She is the only child of Adam Verver, the wealthy financier and falls in love with an charismatic but impoverished Italian Prince Amerigo. Maggie's childhood friend Charlotte was the Prince's mistress during his early days in Rome. But Maggie unaware of this past connections introduces Charlotte and the Prince and deputes her to show the prince around. Charlotte and the Prince go shopping for a wedding present for Maggie. They see a gilded crystal bowl which Charlotte likes but the Prince declines it insisting on a secret flaw.



Maggie after her marriage is more concerned about her father's loneliness and asks him to propose to Charlotte. Charlotte and Adam get married and move with Maggie in Europe. Both the Prince and Charlotte feel left out between the Father and Daughter and soon start their own affair.
Maggie soon become suspicious about her husband and her suspicions are confirmed when she buys a gilded Crystal bowl. The shop keeper on visiting her house confirms the intimacy displayed in his shop by Charlotte and the Prince. Maggie takes stock of the situation calmly and proceeds to salvage her marriage with precision and tact. She persuades her father to move back to the states with Charlotte. Amerigo is impressed by her confidence and diplomacy, and he falls in love with her all over again. Maggie takes the threads of her life in her own hands and grows up from a daddy's girl to a responsible wife and adult.
The Golden Bowl focuses on the four characters and all others pale themselves in to obscurity. Henry James language and prose have their own separate signature style. The story is a very strong one about relationships and each incident is dissected and presented before the reader. No incident is insignificant in his style of writing. There is a heavy dose of symbolism which is a clear departure from his other novels. The golden bowl which ultimately breaks is taken from the biblical passage from the book of ecclesiastics 12:6, “the golden bowl be broken, then shall the dust return to the earth as it was". The dramatization stresses the need for the tactful resolution of marital problems which would go a long way in cementing a relationship.
Good book to read.

The Ambassadors (published in 1903) - A dark comedy, written 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.
The Ambassadors is one of most fulfilling book penned by Henry James and chronicles again the American and European way of life. Here Young America is portrayed as a puritan stiff culture which stifles the lives of its citizens, where as European Paris with its Joie de vivre, is completely satisfying.



Lambert Strether is a Puritan New England citizen who is engaged to a wealthy industrialist widow Mrs. Newsome. But his fiancée agrees to the wedding only if he can bring her wayward son, Chad from Paris. So Strether leaves for Paris and alights in London where he meets witty Maria Gostrey, whose opinions leave him shaken. He leaves for Paris and meets Chad who to his amazement is a young man with impeccable manners. Through Chad he meets Madame Marie de Vionnet whose beauty and sophistication allures him. Strether feels the air changing around him and the fun and beauty takes hold of his being. He enjoys the sights and actions in the new city accompanied by many of his friends. All the more his attraction for Marie, questions his commitment to return to New England to marry Chad's mother.
Strether drinking in the new experiences confides in Young Bilham, Chad's friend that he has missed many life defining moments and makes up his mind to be part of the Parisian scene. Mrs. Newsome dispatches a new set of Ambassadors who involve Chad's sister, Sarah and her husband. They are invulnerable to the charms of Paris and even behave like uncouth sailors upon their arrival.
Strether meanwhile comprehends that there is a amazing romantic relationship between Marie and Chad and is forced to check his feelings. He feels bad to break them up and make Chad return to the stifling atmosphere of New England. He advises Chad to stay loyal to Marie in Paris and plans his way home.
Ambassadors is again a typical Henry James novel, long, verbose and defining. Each situation and decisions are weighed through the pages and requires a lot of patience and dexterity to stay on course. But the story and prose is bound to hold your attention and you grow in to it. It is definitely not one of your slam bang novels which holds you at the first word. Love for Henry james comes at a leisurely pace and therefore is long lasting.

What Maisie Knew (published in 1897) - Written 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.
What Maisie Knew is an account of a child growing in a dysfunctional family. This novel was initially serialized in the the monthly called Chap book and later taken up by the New York Review. Henry James follows the travails of Maisie from childhood to adulthood totally abandoned by her biological parents.



Maisie is the daughter of Ida and Beale who are an estranged perpetually squabbling couple. After their divorce the judge decrees the custody of Maisie to be split and the poor child shuttles between the parents, six months a year. Both Ida and Beale use her for furthering their hurt and are hardly sensitive to her needs.
Both her parents marry, Ida to Claude, a bumbling simple man, and Beale, to Maisie's pretty governess. Maisie gets a new governess, the funny, klutzy but devoted Mrs. Wix. Ida and Beale settle down with their spouses and their extramarital affairs, Maisie is all the more neglected. Many a time her own parents abandon her in the most heartbreaking manner and the lonely Maisie becomes the responsibility of the bumbling Mr. Claude. As her parents alienate their new spouses, both Claude and Mrs. Beale start having an affair. Soon Maisie must make a choice to remain with her parents or with Claude. AS she is holidaying in France, Maisie realizes that Claude's marriage would also end up in a divorce as they do not have a firm standing on values. Maisie chooses her frumpy but devoted governess Mrs. Wix as her new guardian.
Henry James was never a father but he portrays the fear and tribulations of a dark childhood very earnestly. Through this book James lashes out against the growing erosion of values in family life and gives the ultimate sufferers in a broken marriage, the children, a voice. When this was published initially the critics were of mixed views. But this book is also relevant in our contemporary society where divorce and single parent homes are more common. This book gives the dos and dont's for child rearers and the need for bringing up a child in a balanced environment.

The Awkward Age (published in 1899) - Written 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.
This novel was published in the Harpers Weekly and is about the coming of age of a sweet unspoilt girl Nanda. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Brookenham are parents of Harold and Nanda and are upwardly mobile and part of a decadent and corrupt social circle. Harold resembles his parents, but Nanda is sweet and knowledgeable. Mr. Longdon, a family friend of the Brookenham's, while attending one of the family functions is pleasantly surprised to see the grown up Nanda and her resemblance to her grandmother, a long lost love. He is but very critical about the hypocrisy and decadence developing around to spoil Nanda's innocence.



Mr. Vanderbank, an upcoming civil servant showers his attentions on Mrs. Brookenham and also notices Nanda. Mrs. Brookenham wants to have an affair with Vanderham but slowly Nanda grows on him. Nanda's mother wants her to marry Mitchy, a very rich but a naive guy from their social circle. Nanda persuades him to pursue Aggie, a step-niece of their friend, the Duchess.
Longdon, disturbed by the loss of values at the Brookenham household assures Vanderbank of a dowry if he agrees to marry Nanda. Vanderbank continuously hesitates in his proposal and Nanda sees her mother's attraction towards Vanderbank. Mitchy marries Aggie and Nanda rejects Vanderham. She realizes the values and stability in Longdon and agrees to stay with him as an adopted daughter.
Henry James while writing this novel was disturbed by the loss of values all around the English society. He derides the irresponsibility and immorality pervading everywhere. In the Brookenham household, all visitors and the host are never saints and have immorality, hypocrisy and deceit running through all their actions. Nanda rejects all of them for Longdon who epitomizes the old world charm of values.
This book is not the critics favorite, but still holds a charm of its own. It presents the effect of a disruptive forces on the mind of a growing child who ultimately craves stability. Nanda is more mature than her years and therefore can reject the society of party animals. But Henry James does not guarantee a happy ending and definitely does not say how her life would pan out with the influence of her parents. A real thinking family's book -definitely!!

The Bostonians (published in 1886) - A novel 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.
This politically charged novel explores the burning issues of the feminist movement, namely independence, suffrage and the parity in relationships. Even now women are confronted to make a choice between personal and professional relationships and many do not find fulfillment in life because of the choice they are forced to make.
Basil Ransom is a no-nonsense civil war veteran and a lawyer from the south for whom women and independence do not go together. He spends some time with his cousin Olive Chancellor, a fiery feminist and political opponent. He does not subscribe to her values and opinions about suffrage and feminism. Olive sees in him a remnant of the past who has to be redeemed and takes him along to hear a lecture from a famous speaker Verona Tarrant.



Verona, a daughter of the mesmeric healer is a prodigious talent, whose mesmeric voice catches the audience. Olive sees this talent which can be used for her movement and gets her to move in with her, and becomes her mentor, guide and coach. For Verona's parents she is a goldmine whom can be used for monetary reasons. Basil goes for the lecture and falls for Verona's beauty. He does not care two hoots for her opinions and personal choices, and pursues her insistently. Olive is much dismayed by Basil's actions and guards her charge with vehemence. But to her chagrin Verona reciprocates Basil's attentions and chooses personal happiness to political statements. Basil and Verona elope much to the discomfiture of Olive and other political activists.
This book revolves around the three characters, Basil, Verona and Olive with others merely being benign spectators. Olive's fiery feminist views and noble intentions is over shadowed by her usage of Verona for personal reasons. Verona is the beauteous lady who has to make the choice between love and opinions and ends up between the devil and the deep sea. She has to leave her freedom and personality for a man and happiness of having a home. Her tears are not her last ones, Henry James assures us, as she sacrifices her beliefs in the altar of love. Doesn't this echo the predicament of todays career women who still has to choose between personal fulfillment and advancement in life?
The echoes of the Bostonians are very real even today and the ultimate redemption willl come only if women need not be caricature's of a dragon career lady or the plain homemaker. The freedom of choice and fulfillment would be the ultimate nirvana for the feminist movement. Till then the tears will not be th last one to fall.

The Princess Casamassima (published in 1886) - A novel 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 in to 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.
How does one come up in society which values class, birth and money? For the poor whose very existence is tough and are reviled by the rich, the gulf is too much to bridge. So is revolution an answer where the poor are mere myrmidons to carry out the orders of their masters? These are the questions which shoots out in this politically charged novel by Henry James.
Hyacinth is born out of wedlock, a byproduct of a relationship between a French prostitute and a English lord. His mother stabs the Lord when he refuses to accept the paternity and is subsequently jailed. He is brought up by Amanda Pynsent, an impoverished seamstress who is his mothers dear friend. Pynsent feels a fire inside Hyacinth and gets him educated and he becomes a skilled book binder. Well in to his youth he meets his dying mother in prison and is filled with revulsion at his own state of affairs and the perfidy of the rich.



The coarseness of his existence forces Hyacinth to struggle to get out of the rut, but is prevented from doing so because of his low station in society which places too much premium on birth. He finds a date with Millicent Henning who loves him unreservedly. But Hyacinth in his angst rejects her love and falls for the beauteous princess Cassamassima. Princess Cassamassima is a bored aristocrat separated from her husband and Hyacinth reminds her of her own humble origin before her marriage. She encourages his attention and he too falls for her charms. Hyacinth also mistakenly believes that the Princess's attention will catapult him in to her society ultimately redeeming his social standing.
Hyacinth meets the shadowy political revolutionary, for whom revolutionary ideals are a stepping stone to fulfill his ambitions of power. Paul Munificent recruits Hyacinth and assigns him the task of assassinating a capitalistic aristocrat. Meanwhile the Princess too comes under the influence of Munificent and his charm and bed room prowess makes her discard Hyacinth. Caught in a bind between committing murder and rejection Hyacinth realizes the futility of revolution. But it is too late to turn back, as failing to do his duty would bring him the wrath of revolutionaries and the success would put him in the cross-hairs of the law. Hyacinth turns the gun on himself understanding the futility of either course.
This melancholy book would not be much relevant today where upward mobility is possible through hard-work and talent. But in Victorian England and many societies of today where birth is a premium, this story holds true. I found the work a very poignant tale of a man caught in the class war where redemption would have been a miracle. Princess Cassamassima is one of Henry James's less successful books, but I feel it is a much needed reality check too.

The Reverberator (published in 1888) - A classic story 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 in to 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.
The Reverberator is a comic love story in which James explores the public hunger for gossip. He explores the journalistic voyeurism akin to todays page 3, which is actually due to the indiscretions on the part of the public itself.



The Dossons are a nouveau rich family who are rising steadily in the society. In contrast are the Proberts who are American born, but cling to their old French roots for societal recognition. The Proberts are the snobbish aristocracy of the town who look down upon Dossons new money. The Dossons in Paris get acquainted with George Flack who writes for an American Gossip paper “The Reverberator” who introduces them to the finer points of Parisian life and art. Young Francie Dosson poses as a model for a painting and gets introduced to Gaston Probert and their whirlwind romance culminates in to an engagement.
Francie even though had turned down Flack's proposal, she remains friends with him. The Proberts are dismayed by the engagement but everything remains hunky dory on the surface. But the lull before the storm does not last long when Francie talks about the intimate going-on's within the Probert's circle. Flack promptly prints the juicy details in his newspaper and all hell breaks loose. The Proberts are sickened by the reports and even Gaston is horrified by Francie's indiscretion. But the Dossons and Francie are not very apologetic as they find nothing disturbing about the reports. They even find the publicity mildly amusing.
So does the scandal cause a wedge between Gaston and Francie? Well this may turn out to be a spoiler - Suzanne, Gaston's sister supports Francie in an unexpected turn of events and this urges Gaston too to put his weight behind her. After a little heart burn both Gaston and Francie do get married.
This book also chronicles James's pet subject about the clash of cultures, between the old world snobbery and new world indiscretions. This is one of the rare comedies written by Henry James and certainly deserves a look.

The Tragic Muse (published in 1890) - A classic written 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.
The Tragic Muse tells the angst of a man condemned to pursue the family line instead of his heart. This novel is a byproduct of Henry James's fascination for the theater and its artist. The protagonist is Nick Dormer who is passionate about art and hopes to pursue the career of an artist. But he is pressurized to tow the family diktat wherein politics is a chosen field. Nick's friend and guide Gabriel Nash also encourages his passion, but Nick despite his misgivings about politics gives up his artistic ambition and plunges head long in to the political Arena.
Peter Sheringham is a career diplomat who meets Mariam Rooth, an aspiring actress. Rooth is beautiful and full of passion even though her rough edges blunts her attractiveness. Sheringham does everything to help Rooth to attain her ambition of becoming a famous actress even to the extent of introducing her to Madame Carre to train her.



Nick Dormer roughs it out in the electoral field and wins the election to the parliament. His ambitious fiancée Julia is ecstatic as she envisages herself to a part of the race. Nick proposes to Julia who gleefully accepts him and both decide to wait to set the date. But Nick soon becomes tired with the rough and tumble of politics and quits. He even looses the patronage of many powerful people, but undettered he returns to his first love, painting. Meanwhile, a vastly improved Mariam reaches London in search of theatrical success and she agrees to pose for Nick's painting the “Tragic Muse”. During the course of the painting, Julia chances upon them and all hell break loose. Julia understands that nothing improper has happened, but is devastated by the realization that Nick would never return to public life. This scandal brings Mariam to the public gaze and she leverages it for her success. A wedge is created between Nick and Julia.
Sheringham proposes marriage to Mariam who turns him down and heartbroken he takes up an assignment in central America. Years go by and so does the fortunes of the protagonist. A much chastened Sheringham returns and accepts Biddy Dormer's hand and Nick pursues art with all his heart and soul courting success. Mariam also succeeds as an actress and the novel ends with a supposed reconciliation between Nick and Julia.
A good book perfectly written about the vagaries of fame and triumph.

The Portrait of a Lady (published in 1881) - written 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.
"The portrait of a Lady" gives the insight in to the life of Isabelle who wants to live by her own destiny and is hampered by her choices in life. Isabelle Archer is a penniless orphan who is taken in by her aunt Lydia Touchett. Touchett's are the wealthy of the New York strata and consists of the patriarch Touchett, a rich banker, Lydia his wife and their tubercular son Ralph. Ralph is a good natured young fellow and intervenes with his dad to make a provision for Isabelle in his will. As Mr. Touchett dies Isabelle comes in to her inheritance and becomes a wealthy women. While in New York she gets two marriage proposals, one by Casper Goodwood and another from Lord Warburton. Isabelle rejects them both and leaves with her aunt to Europe to see the world.



She meets Madam Merle and is taken up by the womans free spirit and aspires to have her bohemian outlook. Merle introduces her to Gilbert Osmond and he floors Isabelle with his good tastes and behavior. Isabelle marries Osmond and becomes a mother to his daughter Pansy. But after the marriage, Isabelle comes to know the horrific truth that Osmond had married her for her money. She also comes to know that Madam Merle is in fact Pansy's mother and she and Osmond had schemed to entrap her in the marriage.
Isabelle learns that her cousin Ralph is on his death bed and plans to reach him. Osmond forbids her journey to the States. But after pondering over the repercussions, Isabelle travels to the states to be with Ralph till his dying day. She again encounters Casper Goodwood who propose to her again. But Isabelle's sense of responsibility makes her turn him down again, and she returns to Osmond and Pansy in Europe.
This novel also deals with James's pet themes of the clashes between the European and American sensibilities. This novels also details the challenges faces by young Isabelle, about personal freedom, sexuality and sense of responsibility. I feel a little impatient with Isabelle when she turns down personal happiness for a warped feeling of responsibility to a man who has wronged her. But this novel gives us the morals and values prevalent in that bygone era where responsibility was deemed over happiness. Some parts of the novel are a bit tedious and meanders a lot. But all together a wonderful book.

Daisy Miller (published in 1878) - A classic written 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.
Daisy Miller is a novella written by Henry James and presents the life of a pleasant coquette whose devil-may-care attitude may have been a shock to the strict Victorian society of the 18th century. This novel appeared in the Atlantic monthly in a serialized version and is treated as one of James's celebrated work.



Daisy Miller is a girl blooming to becoming a women and understanding men and the world. Her brother, Randolph Miller and herself move through Europe during their holidays. Randolph considers his hometown New York superior to others in all respects, but Daisy is eager for new experiences and immerses herself in the European culture. She meets the sophisticated Winterbourne who is taking a vacation from his studies.
Daisy like a spring flower is sprightly, attractive and lovely, and contrasts with Winterbourne's cold, dour reserve along with his class consciousness. His snobbish Aunt considers Daisy beneath her and forbids her acquaintance. Winterbourne considers Daisy's devil's may-care attitude outrageous and also disapproves of her flirtatiousness. But there is something about Daisy that Winterbourne cannot resist and he follows her to her final destination in Rome. They meet unexpectedly in Mrs. Walker's parlour. Daisy is totally unconcerned about local prejudices against American culture and becomes friends with everybody. Winterbourne understands her innocence and tries to extricate her from this predicament.
As their sojourn comes to an end Winterbourne sees Daisy with Giovanni at the Roman Colosseum. He warns her of the consequences of being a flirt, but Daisy does not care. But she soon contracts the “Roman Fever and dies shortly afterwards.
This book is full of symbolism about the culture clashes between the new order and the old world. Americans with their brashness and easy going nature perfectly contrast the class conscious monolithic European way of life. This war of the two worlds is epitomized in Daisy's attitude and Winterbourne's reserve. If you are a Henry James's fan Daisy Miller may soon pin you down with its multicolor canvas and people. Everybody stands out vividly in their mannerism and sense of values. For the uninitiated it is a bit tedious towards the middle, but still I would suggest you to keep at it as it is worth your while.

Confidence (released in 1879) - Written 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 to 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 as opposed 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.
Confidence is a novel by Henry James which details the romantic interludes of various characters ultimately moving towards a happily ever after ending. This novel first arrived as a serial in the Scribners Monthly and is one of the entertaining novels of Henry James. In this fast paced novel the narrator presents the facts through the window of Bernard Longueville who is an artist by profession.



He is friends with the self proclaimed scientist Gordon Wright who is considered as a genius by Bernard. Bernard meets Angela Vivian and her mother, and soon considers Angela as a coquettish, mysterious airhead. Gordon Wright feels that he loves Angela and even Angela's mother also is in favor of their union. Bernard does not consider this a very suitable match and talks Gordon out of it.
Gordon soon marries Blanche, a colorless personality who dotes on him. Gordon is soon disillusioned and starts to dream about other women. A miscommunication leads Blanche to believe that he is having an affair and this flounders the marriage even more. With a strained marriage Gordon flees to a French beach resort.
Bernard on the other hand believes that he is above love and thinks nothing of Angela. A chance meeting he understands that he was always in love with her. Angela's mystique and allure inflames him. Angela is also taken in by Bernard and soon both are engaged to marry but Gordon arrival complicates matter. Gordon feels that he still loves Angela and begs her to take him back renouncing Bernard. But Angela feels that his love is purely for the outward appearance. She acts like she is renouncing Bernard to give Gordon a chance to win her back. In this process she subtly points out that he is really in love with Blanche and is actually trying to see her through tinted eyes. Gordon realizes his mistake and goes back to Blanche and Angela again steps in to clear the misunderstanding clouding Blanche's mind.
Angela and Bernard also get married and all live happily ever after. This fun novel is one of the rare happy ending devised by Henry James. The relationships and complex subplots and the happy ending is entirely believable and entertaining. A must read for anybody who has loved in his life.

Washington Square (published in 1880) - Originally published as a short story 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 in to 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.
Washington Square is a tragi-comedy by Henry James which tells the relationships and conflicts between a father and his dutiful daughter. This short novel appeared as a monthly piece in the Corn-hill Magazine and Harper's New Monthly Magazine.
Dr. Austin Sloper is a widower who resents his plain daughter Catherine and still mourns the death of his wife and a brilliant son. He considers Catherine to be a dull and boring personality devoid of any personality. His house is maintained by his sister, widowed Lavinia Penniman who is a hardcore romanticist. She is a brash old thing who pokes her nose in to other's affairs.



Catherine meets Morris Townsend, a penniless gold digger who sweeps her off her feet. Townsend woos her and proposes marriage. Mrs. Penniman who loves romance and melodrama encourages and aides Townsend's actions. But Dr. Sloper sees through him and forbids Catherine to have any relationship with him. Townsend moves back to live with his sister and Sloper takes his daughter away.
Catherine, for all her waify ways has an iron will and she decides that she wouldn't not throw away her love on mere suspicion. She goes with her father on a twelve month grand tour of Europe. All through the journey Sloper mentions Townsend only twice signaling his contempt. His threat to disown Cathrine also does not have any effect on the girl.
On the final leg of the journey Slopper broaches the subject of Morris Townsend and Catherine firmly refuses to give him up. Her loyalty enrages him and he refers her derogatorily as a “pig fattened for slaughter”. This is the last straw for Catherine who has put up with his contemptuous behavior and she distances herself away from her father.
Upon her returns Catherine convinces Townsend about her loyalty and love, but he breaks off the relationship when he discovers that she has been cut off from Sloper's money. This breaks Catherine's heart which would never mend again. She rejects suitors and lovers as the injury despairs her soul. Dr. Sloper passes away with out leaving her all the money for the fear of Townsend making an appearance again. His suspicions are proved correct. Townsend indeed makes a return after a long time, smelling money. He tries to rekindle the relationship. But Catherine sees through his ploy and refuse to be led down the garden path again. At the end of the novel she picks up her life and resolves to live it as it unravels.
This novel was not very much liked by James and he had fought its inclusion in the New York Edition of his work. But it still proves one of Henry James's popular novels. Its breezy romance and the ever suffering heroine does evoke sympathy. It has all the ingredient of a tragic love story which brings a lump to your heart. Read it for its poignancy.

The American (published in 1877) - First published in serialized form, and then as a book, 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 in to 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.
This novel chronicles the travails of Christopher Newman, a gauche but rich American who travels through Europe. Newman is indeed the son of the new world, America, brash, hard working unlike the aristocrats in Europe who are very class conscious. Newman on his travel encounters many people, like Noemie Nioche, Tom Tristam and Lizzie Trisatam who give their perspective of Europe. He is introduced to beautiful Claire Clintre, a French noblewoman who has left her abusive husband. Newman falls in love with Claire and she also gives him his heart. But the Claire's mother,Madame de Bellegarde, and her older brother, Urbain de Bellegarde are against the match because of the working class origins of Newman. They never make it a secret that they are interested in his money.



Claire's younger brother Valentin de Bellegarde respects Newman for his ethics and becomes good friends with him. He also falls in love with Noemie and is challenged to a duel by another admirer. Valentin is mortally injured in the duel and in his dying moments reveals that his mother and brother had murdered his father. Meanwhile Newman tries his best to ingratiate with Claire's family and is constantly rebuffed.
When her mother and brother forbid her match with Newman, Claire takes the veil and joins a convent to become a nun. This is the last straw for Newman and he plans to take revenge against Madame de Bellegarde and her son, Urbain. He obtains written evidence of their complicity in the murder of Claire's father and plans to get them convicted. But Newman is torn in to two. One side he yearns for revenge and on the other side he sees the futility of such an action. But in the end he tears the evidence and still walks away with doubts about his actions.
The American epitomizes the new world of USA where men are honest and truthful compared to the deceit and discriminatory attitude of the Europeans. It is said that James wrote the Americans to counter the Alexander Dumas's novel L'Étrangère, which portrayed Americans as crude gold diggers. But I find the ending to be very confusing and not defined. It is a romantic novel with lot of philosophy about right and wrong and filial responsibility thrown in. In today's age, such pure virginal relationships may be non existent, but the Victorian consciousness of the Author cannot be contested. So I would still say the American is a good read.

Roderick Hudson (first serialized in 1875) - Written and later revised 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 in to 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.
Roderick Hudson is a novel where Henry James found his niche in literature. He wrote about the complexities of human relationships and the proclivities of American and European culture. Rowland Mallet is a wealthy man and an art connoisseur who sees the sculpture of Roderick Hudson and realizes that he is a gifted artist. He offers to fund his travel through Italy so as to improve his artistic talents. Mallet meets Roderick's Mother and Cousin Mary Hudson with whom he falls completely in love. As he is about to confess his feelings Roderick reveals to him that Mary has accepted hid proposal for marriage. Mallet suppresses his feelings and moves to Italy.



In Italy Roderick flourishes as an original talent but his bad behavior and tendency to gamble makes him a despised man. Mallet meanwhile dates an upcoming artist Augusta Blanchard to try and forget Mary. Roderick on the other hand finds a scintillating beauty Christina who is a gold digger. Roderick is swept off his feet and manages to win her approval to sculpt her bust. Soon his interactions with Christina increases and his infatuation drives him to insanity. Mallet tries to intervene for Mary's sake and informs him that Christina is engaged to a rich Neapolitan Prince. He also informs Christina about Mary and in-spite of his mental duress brings in Mrs. Hudson and Mary to try and save Roderick.
But Roderick's flip flop continues as he fails to complete his assignments. Christina has him in her snares and toys with his emotions. She even berates Mary at a party and Mary treats her as a fake. Rowland advises Christina to stay away from Roderick as she has married the Prince. In the meantime debts have mounted for Roderick who is unable to undertake any work. His mother and Mary ask him move back home, but Mallet asks them to move to Switzerland so that he can be close to Mary. Roderick in the mean time says that he is giving up on Mary and a chance meeting with Christina fans his desire. He begs money from mallet to join Christina in Interlaken in-spite of her married status.
Roderick dies in a storm on the way to Interlaken and a grief-stricken Mary and his Mother return home. Mallet too follows them and hope for a better day. A very complex novel and a a superb narration which makes you feel the emotions of the protagonist in your midst. A must read for all classic lovers.