Penguin Classics: The Golden Bowl

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Henry James's intense exploration of adultery, jealousy, and possession unfolds in a world of wealth and refinement. Maggie Verver, a young American heiress, and her father Adam, a billionaire art collector, are both set to marry: Maggie to Prince Amerigo, an impoverished Italian aristocrat, and Adam to the beautiful but penniless Charlotte Stant, a friend of Maggie's. Unbeknownst to them, their new partners share a secret that will lead to significant consequences for all involved. This work continues and challenges James's recurring theme of the clash between American innocence and European experience. The edition features a chronology, suggested further reading, a glossary, notes, and an introduction by Ruth Bernard Yeazell, which delves into James's original vision for the novel and the subsequent alterations in its structure and characters. Henry James (1843-1916), son of a prominent theologian and brother to philosopher William James, was a leading novelist of the fin-de-siècle, known for his short stories, plays, and critical works, as well as around twenty novels. His novella 'Daisy Miller' established his literary reputation, and his other works in Penguin Classics include titles like 'Washington Square' and 'The Portrait of a Lady.' If you appreciated this work, you may also enjoy Theodor Fontane's 'Effi Briest.'