75 pages 2 hours read

Henry James

The Bostonians

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1886

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In Henry James's The Bostonians, Northern feminist Olive Chancellor and Southern conservative Basil Ransom vie for the affection and ideological alliance of the captivating young Verena Tarrant, embodying the post-Civil War cultural clash between traditional and modern values in America.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Henry James's The Bostonians is praised for its keen social commentary and intricate characterizations. It skillfully delves into themes of feminism and political change but is sometimes critiqued for its dense prose and slow pacing. Overall, it stands out as a thought-provoking novel that juxtaposes progressive and conservative ideologies of the late 19th century.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Bostonians?

A reader who enjoys The Bostonians by Henry James likely appreciates nuanced psychological portraits and social commentary on gender and politics. Fans of Middlemarch by George Eliot or The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton, which similarly explore complex relationships and moral dilemmas within society, would find it compelling.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction

American Literature

Historical Fiction

Themes

Relationships: Marriage

Topics

Gender / Feminism

History: World

Period

Victorian Literature / Period