The Bostonians
The Bostonians by Henry James, published by Penguin in March 2001, is a 480-page novel that explores the tensions between traditional values and the allure of progress. The story follows Basil Ransom, a young lawyer from Mississippi, who visits his cousin Olive, a wealthy feminist, in Boston. During his stay, he becomes captivated by Verena Tarrant, a speaker at a women’s emancipation meeting, despite his disapproval of her views. This sets off a conflict between Basil and Olive as they vie for Verena’s allegiance.
Readers will find a provocative portrayal of societal change and the complexities of feminism in this edition, which includes an introduction by Richard Lansdown discussing the political dimensions of the work. The book also features extracts from Tocqueville and James’s “The American Scene,” providing additional context to the social issues addressed. This edition is part of the Penguin Classics series, known for its authoritative texts and scholarly enhancements, making it a significant addition to the literary canon.
Official synopsis Publisher
A provocative and astute portrayal of a world caught between old values and the lure of progress
Basil Ransom, an attractive young Mississippi lawyer, is visiting his cousin Olive, a wealthy feminist, in Boston when he accompanies her to a meeting on the subject of women’s emancipation. One of the speakers is Verena Tarrant, and although he disapproves of all she claims to stand for, Basil is immediately captivated by her and sets about “reforming” her with his traditional views. But Olive has already made Verena her protégée, and soon a battle is under way for exclusive possession of her heart and mind.
Richard Lansdown’s introduction discusses The Bostonians as James’s most successful political work and his funniest novel. This edition contains extracts from Tocqueville and from James’s “The American Scene”, which illuminate the novel’s social context. This edition also includes notes and a bibliography.
Penguin Classics is the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world, representing a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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