Roderick Hudson by Henry James

Name: Roderick Hudson
Author: Henry James

The novel revolves around the complex and often tumultuous relationship between Roderick Hudson, a young American sculptor, and Rowland Mallet, his mentor and friend. Roderick's natural talent and charisma are matched by his emotional instability and lack of direction, which lead him into a series of ill-fated relationships and financial entanglements. As the story unfolds, Roderick becomes increasingly dependent on Rowland, who struggles to balance his paternal affection with his growing disillusionment with Roderick's reckless behavior. Meanwhile, Roderick's relationships with women, particularly Isabel Archer and Mary Garland, serve as a catalyst for his emotional turmoil and ultimately contribute to his downfall. Throughout the novel, James explores themes of artistic ambition, moral responsibility, and the complexities of human relationships, raising questions about the nature of talent, morality, and personal identity.

By Henry James · First published 1875 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Bildungsroman, Romance · 13 chapters · 159,846 words

First lines

Mallet had made his arrangements to sail for Europe on the first of September, and having in the interval a fortnight to spare, he determined to spend it with his cousin Cecilia, the widow of a nephew of his father. He was urged by the reflection that an affectionate farewell might help to exonerate him from the charge of neglect frequently preferred by this lady. It was not that the young man disliked her; on the contrary, he regarded her with a tender admiration, and he had not forgotten how, when his cousin had brought her home on her marriage, he had seemed to feel the upward sweep of the empty bough from which the golden fruit had been plucked, and had then and there accepted the prospect of bachelorhood.

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Roderick Hudson is listed on Textopian as a novel by Henry James, dated 1875 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: 1875 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Bildungsroman, Romance, Psychological Fiction, Travel Fiction
Length: 159,846 words
Structure: 13 chapters, 2,635 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The novel focuses on character development, intricate relationships, and moral dilemmas, which are hallmarks of literary fiction.
Bildungsroman — The story follows the personal growth and development of the protagonist, a key element of the Bildungsroman genre.
Romance — Romantic entanglements and the exploration of love are central to the plot and character motivations.
Psychological Fiction — The narrative delves deeply into the psychological motivations and inner lives of the characters.