Glasses by Henry James (1908)

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 · 22,288 words

First lines

Yes indeed, I say to myself, pen in hand, I can keep hold of the thread and let it lead me back to the first impression. The little story is all there, I can touch it from point to point; for the thread, as I call it, is a row of coloured beads on a string. None of the beads are missing -- at least I think they're not: that's exactly what I shall amuse myself with finding out.

• Open reader

What this Textopian page supports

Glasses is listed on Textopian as a novel by Henry James, dated 1908 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Novel
• Author: Henry James
• Date: 1908 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary, Romance
• Length: 22,288 words
• Structure: 13 chapters, 205 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for Glasses by Henry James
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Similar titles

• Louisa Pallant by Henry James
• Georginas Reasons by Henry James
• The Portrait Of A Lady Volume Ii by Henry James
• Flickerbridge by Henry James
• Madame De Mauves by Henry James
• Confidence by Henry James

Genres

• Literary Fiction — The book is characterized by its focus on character development, intricate narrative style, and exploration of social themes.
• Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves into the psychological motivations and inner lives of the characters, emphasizing their thoughts and emotions.
• Social Commentary — The story critiques and reflects on societal norms and class distinctions, highlighting the social dynamics of the time.
• Romance — The plot includes romantic elements and relationships that drive the narrative forward.

Tags

Psychological Fiction · Realism · Social Commentary · Marriage · Class Conflict · Identity Crisis · Coming of Age · American Expatriate · European Setting · Philosophical Themes · Existentialism · Morality

Contents

• CHAPTER I
• CHAPTER II
• CHAPTER III
• CHAPTER IV
• CHAPTER V
• CHAPTER VI
• CHAPTER VII
• CHAPTER VIII
• CHAPTER IX
• CHAPTER X
• CHAPTER XI
• CHAPTER XII
• CHAPTER XIII

More by Henry James

• The Beldonald Holbein (1916)
• Four Meetings (1885)
• Roderick Hudson (1875)
• The American (1877)
• Confidence (1903)
• The Europeans (1878)
• Daisy Miller (1878)
• An International Episode (1867)
• All works by Henry James