The novel revolves around the complex relationships between two couples: the American Milly Theale and her fiancé Gilbert Osmond, and his daughter Pansy, who is engaged to a man named Amerigo. Milly's health begins to decline due to a mysterious illness, which leads to a series of events that expose the true nature of the relationships between the characters. The novel explores themes of love, morality, class, and identity as it delves into the inner lives of its characters.
By Henry James · First published 1914 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary · 4 chapters