Join us on a literary world trip!
Add this book to bookshelf
Grey
Write a new comment Default profile 50px
Grey
Subscribe to read the full book or read the first pages for free!
All characters reduced
The Princess Casamassima - cover

The Princess Casamassima

Henry James

Publisher: DigiCat

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Summary

In "The Princess Casamassima," Henry James intricately weaves a tale that examines the intersections of art, politics, and identity in the tumultuous landscape of 19th-century Europe. The novel features a complex narrative style, marked by James's characteristic psychological depth and an exploration of inner consciousness, which allows readers to navigate the protagonist Hyacinth Robinson's conflicting loyalties and aspirations. Set against a backdrop of revolutionary fervor, the book immerses the reader in a world where personal desire clashes with societal duty, offering a poignant commentary on class struggle and revolutionary zeal within the Victorian context. Henry James, an American-born novelist and literary critic, lived much of his life in Europe and was deeply influenced by its cultural and socio-political environments. His rich experiences in England and France, combined with his nuanced observations of character and society, provide a foundation for the rich tapestry of themes explored in "The Princess Casamassima." James's own concerns with identity and nationality resonate throughout the narrative, revealing his stance on the complexities of individual versus collective identities in a rapidly changing world. For readers seeking a profound exploration of personal ambition amid societal constraints, "The Princess Casamassima" offers an essential window into the psyche of a man caught between two worlds. This novel not only showcases James's literary prowess but serves as a compelling exploration of themes that remain relevant today, making it a must-read for enthusiasts of classic literature and social commentary.
Available since: 10/11/2022.
Print length: 524 pages.

Other books that might interest you

  • Washington Irving - A Short Story Collection - One of the "founding fathers" of American literature this collection includes classics and lesser known yet equally pristine stories - cover

    Washington Irving - A Short...

    Washington Irving

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Washington Irving was born on 3rd April, 1783, the youngest of 11, in New York. 
      
    Irving found his real interests away from school in literature and the theatre.  An outbreak of yellow fever at 15 moved him away from Manhattan and into the surrounding countryside providing valuable settings for later works such as ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’. 
     
    By 19 Irving was writing regularly to the New York Morning Chronicle, commenting on the theatrical and social scenes.  When his health began to fail, he was sent on the Grand Tour of Europe.  Bizarrely he ignored most of the great sights on offer to concentrate on developing his social and conversational powers.  His health, though, did improve.  
     
    In 1806, back in New York to study law, he scraped a pass at the bar and then founded with several others the literary magazine Salmagundi. Irving nicknamed the city ‘Gotham City’, a name still in use today.  Moderately successful, the magazine spread Irving’s reputation beyond New York. 
     
    In 1809 while mourning the death of his teenage fiancée Irving finished his first significant book, ‘A History of New-York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynsasty, by Diedrich Knickerbocker’.  It satirised local history, local historians and politics.  It received great critical acclaim. 
     
    Unfortunately his family’s established trading company was now facing great upheavals and Irving was dispatched to England to try to sort it out.  After two years he could see no way out but bankruptcy.  This left him in England with no real employment prospects, and so he returned to writing.  
     
    He sent some short stories back to New York to be published as ‘The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent’.  The first part included ‘Rip Van Winkle’ and was extremely successful.  The sixth part contained ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’.  
     
    Beset by literary piracy, with no copyright law at the time, he set about publishing legitimate copies in England to outwit the bootleggers.  From now on Irving published concurrently in America and England in order to render piracy obsolete.  
     
    In August 1824, he published ‘Tales of a Traveller’, which included the famed ‘The Devil and Tom Walker’.  
     
    In 1826, the American Minister to Spain, invited him to Madrid where he could examine the many historical documents that he had access to.  Irving reveled in both the size of the libraries he was granted access to and their rich quality.  Historical works flowed from his pen further enhancing his reputation and fortune.   
     
    Following the completion of ‘Tales of the Alhambra’ in 1832, Irving returned to America after 17 years abroad. He was now a figurehead of American literature and dispensed advice to Edgar Allan Poe amongst others.  Irving also became an advocate for American copyright legislation.  
     
    A later appointment as Minister to Spain in 1842 left him disheartened at the antics of the various political factions he encountered.  It also afforded him no time to write as he had hoped.  
     
    On his return home he began an ‘Author’s Revised Edition’ of his works agreeing an unprecedented deal for 12 per cent of the retail profits.  
     
    Washington Irving died of a heart attack at his ‘Sunnyside’ home on the 28th November 1859 at the age of 76, a few months after completing his five volume George Washington biography, in whose honour he had been named. 
     
    01 - Washington Irving - A Short Story Collection - An Introduction 
    02 - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving 
    03 - The Devil and Tom Walker by Washington Irving 
    04 - The Art of Book-Making by Washington Irving 
    05 - The Conquest of the Earth by the Moon by Washington Irving 
    06 - John Bull by Washington Irving
    Show book
  • Young Magic - Power may be good by nature or evil in design - cover

    Young Magic - Power may be good...

    Helen Simpson

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Helen de Guerry Simpson was born in Sydney, Australia on the 1st December 1897.  As a 17 year old she was sent to France and then on to Oxford, England to complete her education.  Whilst there she founded the Oxford Women's Dramatic Society.  She was sent down in 1921 apparently for breaking regulations prohibiting men and women students from acting together. 
     
    Her early work of poems, plays, a novel and a collection of short stories found little commercial success. It was only with ‘Boomerang’ in 1932 that her success was established.  Helen continued to write across the genres and by now had become intensely interested in politics.  She was selected to run by the Liberals for the Isle of Wight parliamentary seat in the expected General Election of 39 or 40. 
     
    Sadly this coincided with the rapid onset of cancer and her health very quickly deteriorated.   
     
    Helen Simpson died in Worcestershire, England on the 14th October 1940.  She was 42. 
     
    In ‘Young Magic’ a young girl has definite supernatural abilities which she attempts to control.  Years later when she returns home and begins a relationship those abilities begin to reappear in a more sinister form.
    Show book
  • Peter Pan - cover

    Peter Pan

    Saviour Pirotta

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Wendy knows that all children have to grow up... all apart from the magical Peter Pan! When Peter flies through the nursery window and invites Wendy and her brothers, John and Michael, to come to Never-Never-Land, they set off on the adventure of a lifetime. J. M. Barrie's best-loved tale of Lost Boys, mermaids, pirates and a boy who will never grow up has been retold and adapted for younger readers aged 6+. 
     
    ABOUT THE SERIES: Abridged and retold in modern English, Arcturus Easy-to-Read Classics make 16 classic stories accessible to readers as young as six, while retaining all the charm, atmosphere, and sense of adventure that made the original tales world-famous.
    Show book
  • Top 10 Short Stories The - Barry Pain - The top ten Short Stories written by Barry Pain - cover

    Top 10 Short Stories The - Barry...

    Barry Pain

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    Short stories have always been a sort of instant access into an author’s brain, their soul and heart.  A few pages can lift our lives into locations, people and experiences with a sweep of landscape, narration, feelings and emotions that is difficult to achieve elsewhere. 
     
    In this series we try to offer up tried and trusted ‘Top Tens’ across many different themes and authors. But any anthology will immediately throw up the questions – Why that story? Why that author?  
     
    The theme itself will form the boundaries for our stories which range from well-known classics, newly told, to stories that modern times have overlooked but perfectly exemplify the theme.  Throughout the volume our authors whether of instant recognition or new to you are all leviathans of literature. 
     
    Some you may disagree with but they will get you thinking; about our choices and about those you would have made.  If this volume takes you on a path to discover more of these miniature masterpieces then we have all gained something. 
     
    Most people will shrug at the name of ‘Barry Pain’, if you are one of them you are in for a treat.  Pain was a brilliant storyteller who took on difficult issues and situations and handled each with aplomb and a knowing way that only true talent can. 
     
    01 - The Top 10 - Barry Pain - An Introduction 
    02 - The Diary of a God by Barry Pain 
    03 - The Act of Heroism by Barry Pain 
    04 - The Case of Vincent Pyrwhit by Barry Pain 
    05 - The Green Light by Barry Pain 
    06 - The Magnet by Barry Pain 
    07 - The End of a Show by Barry Pain 
    08 - A Complete Recovery by Barry Pain 
    09 - The Extermination by Barry Pain 
    10 - Murder, from The Memoirs of Constantine Dix by Barry Pain 
    11 - Post Mortem by Barry Pain
    Show book
  • Iron Heel The (Unabridged) - cover

    Iron Heel The (Unabridged)

    Jack London

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    The story proper begins with Avis Everhard, a daughter of a renowned physicist, John Cunningham, and future wife of socialist Ernest Everhard. At first, Avis Everhard does not agree with Ernest's assertion that the whole contemporary social system is based on exploitation of labour. She proceeds to investigate the conditions the workers live in and those terrible conditions make her change her mind and accept Ernest's worldview. Similarly, Bishop Morehouse does not initially believe in the horrors described by Ernest but then becomes convinced of their truth and is confined to a madhouse because of his new views.
    Show book
  • H G Wells 3 Complete Works - The First Man In The Moon The Wonderful Visit Ann Veronica - cover

    H G Wells 3 Complete Works - The...

    H. G. Wells

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0
    H.G. Wells, one of the most influential writers of science fiction and speculative fiction, has left an indelible mark on literature with his vast body of work. Wells's books, spanning across various genres, captivate readers with their imaginative narratives, thought-provoking concepts, and insightful social commentary. His novels, such as "The Time Machine," "The War of the Worlds," and "The Invisible Man," have become iconic and have helped shape the science fiction genre as we know it today. 
     
    Wells's books often explore scientific and technological advancements and their potential impact on society. In "The Time Machine," Wells takes readers on a journey to the future, addressing themes of class struggle, evolution, and the consequences of uncontrolled progress. In "The War of the Worlds," he weaves a thrilling tale of a Martian invasion, reflecting anxieties of the time and exploring the vulnerability of humanity in the face of an alien threat. With "The Invisible Man," Wells delves into the ethical implications of scientific discovery, examining the effects of invisibility on human behavior and morality. Throughout his works, Wells's keen observations of human nature and society add depth to his narratives, making his books not only exciting adventures but also profound explorations of the human condition. 
    What sets Wells's books apart is his ability to blend imaginative storytelling with social critique. His works often serve as a platform for commentary on topics like imperialism, social inequality, and the potential dangers of unchecked scientific progress. Wells's novels serve as cautionary tales, inviting readers to contemplate the consequences of human actions and to reflect on the role of science, technology, and societal structures in shaping our collective future.
    Show book