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36 pages 1 hour read

Daisy Miller

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1878

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Book Brief

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Henry James

Daisy Miller

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1878
Book Details
Pages

164

Format

Novella • Fiction

Setting

Europe • 1870s

Publication Year

1878

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Lexile Level

850

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Super Short Summary

In Daisy Miller, Henry James portrays the cultural clash between Americans abroad and European societal norms through the experiences of Daisy, a young American woman whose unconventional behavior causes friction with judgmental compatriots. Daisy forms a bond with Frederick Winterbourne, who is both intrigued and puzzled by her actions, as he struggles to understand whether she is deliberately defying social conventions or is simply unaware of them.

Mysterious

Contemplative

Melancholic

Romantic

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

3.7

37,132 ratings

45%

Loved it

39%

Mixed feelings

16%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Henry James’s Daisy Miller elicits diverse reactions. Critics praise its nuanced exploration of social norms and character depth, highlighting James's masterful prose. However, some find the pacing slow and the protagonist's naiveté frustrating. Nevertheless, the novella's incisive cultural commentary makes it a compelling read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Daisy Miller?

A reader who appreciates Daisy Miller by Henry James is likely to enjoy nuanced character studies and themes of cultural clash and societal expectations. Similar to those who favor works like Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence or Jane Austen's Emma, they would relish this novella's exploration of 19th-century social mores and individualism.

3.7

37,132 ratings

45%

Loved it

39%

Mixed feelings

16%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

164

Format

Novella • Fiction

Setting

Europe • 1870s

Publication Year

1878

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14-18 years

Lexile Level

850

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