Beyond the Book: "Daisy Miller" by Henry James
Henry James is indisputably one of the iconic figures of 19th-20th century American literature. Beyond leaving behind a voluminous body of work, which prompts one to read one short story after another and then delve into his novels, what captivated me most is James' writing style. He is far from the minimalist, short-sentenced style made popular by Hemingway, where a few crisp, well-thought-out words create mosaic-like pieces of a picture. Instead, he is recognizable by his longer sentences and vibrant vocabulary.
After reading Hemingway's “A Moveable Feast” one or two weeks ago and wanting something less terse, I chose "Daisy Miller." I recommend this novella, readable in just an hour or two, to those with limited time but a desire for a brief intellectual journey into the life of the late 1800s' social elite and the tension between European and American elites, as well as between the bourgeoisie and the aristocracy.
From here on, the article contains spoilers. If you don't wish to know more about the plot, first read the story, then return to this review.