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59 pages 1 hour read

The Golden Bowl

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1904

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Book Brief

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Henry James

The Golden Bowl

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1904
Book Details
Pages

591

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

London, England • Early 1900s

Publication Year

1904

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Golden Bowl by Henry James explores the intricate relationships and hidden affairs within two marriages. Amerigo, who was once in love with Charlotte, marries Maggie, while Charlotte marries Maggie’s father, Adam. When Maggie’s focus on her father allows Amerigo and Charlotte to rekindle their affair, Maggie eventually uncovers their secret and devises a plan to ensure her marriage's survival.

Mysterious

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Emotional

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

3.9

11,547 ratings

63%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Reviews of Henry James's The Golden Bowl reflect a mix of admiration for its intricate exploration of human relationships and frustration with its dense prose. Praised for its psychological depth and complex characters, the novel is also critiqued for its challenging narrative style. Overall, readers appreciate the novel's thematic richness but caution against its demanding readability.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Golden Bowl?

Readers who enjoy intricate psychological drama and complex relationships will be captivated by Henry James's The Golden Bowl. Fans of Edith Wharton's The Age of Innocence and E.M. Forster's Howards End will appreciate its intricate prose and deep exploration of morality and betrayal. Suitable for those who savor literary classics.

3.9

11,547 ratings

63%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

13%

Not a fan

Character List

Maggie Verver

A central character whose close relationship with her father and marriage to Prince Amerigo connect her to the social elite, as she manages complex relationships with sincerity and dedication.

An Italian aristocrat of noble lineage but little wealth, he marries Maggie Verver and navigates the intricacies of high society with practiced ease and adaptability.

A resourceful and ambitious young woman from modest means, who becomes a key figure in the Verver family dynamics after marrying Adam Verver.

A wealthy American widower and collector of antiques, who seeks to intertwine old-world aristocracy with his newly acquired wealth by marrying Charlotte.

Book Details
Pages

591

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

London, England • Early 1900s

Publication Year

1904

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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