The Wings of the Dove

Henry James

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intricate human emotions

complex scheme and moral ambiguities

masterful characterization

wealth inheritance plot

long winded prose style

romantic and melancholic setting

slow narrative pace

difficult read and engagement issues

lack of relatability and depth in characters

challenging prose style

mixed opinions on readability

exploration of ethical dilemmas

The Wings of the Dove by Henry James is a complex novel that follows the story of a young couple, Kate Merton and Merton Densher, who want to marry but lack the financial means. Their plan takes a twist when a wealthy American heiress, Milly, falls in love with Merton. Kate, realizing that Milly is terminally ill, orchestrates a scheme for Merton to woo Milly in hopes of inheriting her wealth. The plot is filled with intricate human emotions, guilt, and a journey to Venice, but some readers find the writing long-winded and filled with verbose observations, leading to a loss of emotional impact.

The novel is praised for its masterful characterization by Henry James, particularly in the creation of Milly, Kate, and Densher. While some readers appreciate the depth of the characters and the intriguing plot, others find the book challenging to get through due to James' verbose writing style, making it a tough read at times. Despite the intricate plot and character development, there are mixed opinions on whether the book lives up to James' other works or falls short in terms of readability and engagement.

Characters:

The cast is marked by a lack of relatability and depth, leading to diminishing reader empathy.

Writing/Prose:

The author employs a challenging and intricate prose style that can be taxing to readers.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative features a complex scheme driven by human emotions and moral ambiguities.

Setting:

The setting is both romantic and melancholic, mirroring the plot's complexities.

Pacing:

The narrative progresses at an unhurried pace, which may deter some readers.

1828 Construction begins on the first house on the north side of Washington Square; over the next thirty years Washington Square North will become the most expensive and fashionable street bordering W...

Notes:

The story centers around Kate, a young woman with modest means, who is pushed by her wealthy Aunt Maud to marry a rich lord.

Kate is already in love with a poor man named Mr. Densher, leading to a complicated love triangle.

To secure Densher's future, Kate convinces him to romance a dying American heiress named Milly for her money.

The novel features a slow narrative style, often described as dense and verbose, making it a challenging read for many.

James's writing deliberately explores characters and their motivations, reminiscent of a Cubist painting by trying to present multiple viewpoints at once.

Self-delusion is a key theme, as characters often misjudge their own truths and motives, leading to hypocrisy and eventual downfall.

Many readers found the characters unlikable and the dialogue lifeless, which detracted from their emotional engagement with the story.

Despite its flaws, readers acknowledge it as a bold narrative experiment and a significant work in Henry James’s oeuvre.

The setting of Venice plays a symbolic role, mirroring the characters' decaying morals and intentions in a romantic yet gloomy environment.

The book challenges readers with its complex sentence structures, often requiring multiple readings to grasp meaning.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for The Wings of the Dove include themes of deception, illness, and moral complexity that can be considered emotionally heavy or triggering.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance present in The Wings of the Dove, marked by complex relationships, manipulations, and emotional stakes among the characters.

implied steam level

From The Publisher:

The vivacious Kate Croy finds herself torn between love and money, friendship and ambition; "the crown of Henry James's achievement." Now a critically acclaimed film.

Kate Croy is a beautiful but impoverished young woman forced to live with her successful but astringent Aunt, Maude Lower. Lower intends Kate to marry the aristocratic Lord Mark, but she is already in love with a journalist, Merton Densher. Though their lack of money prevents the two from marrying, the destitute couple soon become friends with Milly Theale, an American heiress with an ambiguous ailment and an obvious affection for Densher. As Theale's health grows worse, Kate weaves a web of intrigue that pushes Densher into Theale's arms in the hopes of securing her fortune. Theale retreats to Venice in the last throes of her sickness, and Densher, realizing the extent of Kate's manipulation, forces her to choose between money and love.

Ratings (5)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (1)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (19):

Read It (5)
Want To Read (8)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (5)

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About the Author:

Henry James was born on April 15, 1843, on Washington Place in New York to the most intellectually remarkable of American families. His father, Henry James Sr., was a brilliant and eccentric religious philosopher; his brother was one of the…

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