75 pages • 2 hours read
The Bostonians
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Book Brief
480
Novel • Fiction
Boston, Massachusetts • 1870s
1886
Adult
18+ years
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.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Melancholic
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
7,828 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
7,828 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
480
Novel • Fiction
Boston, Massachusetts • 1870s
1886
Adult
18+ years
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