36 pages 1 hour read

Henry James

Daisy Miller

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1878

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Before You Read

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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.

Reviews & Readership

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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.

RecommendedReading Age

14-18years

Lexile Level

850

Book Details

Genre

Classic Fiction

Romance

Education

Period

Victorian Period

Themes

Identity: Femininity

Society: Class

Emotions/Behavior: Conflict

Topics

Education

History: World