The novel revolves around the complex relationships between two American cousins, John and Basil Ransom, who are visiting Europe. The story centers on their interactions with a young woman, Milly Theale, an American heiress suffering from a terminal illness. As they navigate their feelings for her, they must confront their own moral and emotional limitations.
By Henry James · First published 1908 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary · 13 chapters