by Henry James
First published 2000
Adam Verver brings his daughter Maggie from America to Europe, seeking the pleasures of refined society. Maggie marries Prince Amerigo, an Italian nobleman with charm but little money. Adam himself courts Charlotte, a beautiful young woman who catches his eye. The four seem destined for happiness until a golden bowl enters their lives as a gift. This seemingly innocent object carries a secret that threatens to destroy their carefully constructed world. The bowl reveals a hidden connection that could disgrace them all. Maggie discovers the truth and realizes she must act. She cannot let this betrayal stand without consequence. Her response will determine whether their gilded existence survives or crumbles entirely.
Genres: fiction, drama, literary-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: deception, secrets
Setting: America, Europe
Period: 19th-Century
640 pages · Kindle Edition · Tor Classics