Daisy Miller by Henry James

Daisy Miller by Henry James

Publisher: Seahorse Publishing (2013)

62 pages, eBook (Purchased Myself for $0.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Ratings:

Violence: Mild-Moderate-Brutal

Swearing: Clean-Light-Filthy

Sexual Content: White-Pink-Red

Summary:

While paying a visit to his aunt, Mr. Winterbourne meets a young American girl that he’s not quite sure what to make of, but he finds her and her habits very intriguing.

My Thoughts:

Winterbourne seems almost consumed by trying to puzzle out Daisy’s degree of innocence, and the degree to which she understands her departure from social norms and the effects of her actions. Daisy seems to be one of those young girls that enjoys toying with people, and she seems to have a very modern view of the liberties she should be allowed and the company she should be allowed to keep. It is as if you took a modern teenage girl and stuck her in the middle of Victorian society—she has no reverence for the societal rules of the time, and flies about doing just as she pleases, going anywhere she wants, unchaperoned with men, at all times of night—for the time period her behavior is very shocking, but I have a feeling she never really did anything a modern person would find objectionable. However, we are looking at things from Winterbourne’s point-of-view and it is his opinion of her that is the focus of this story. 

Edition Notes:

This Seahorse ebook edition includes an author’s biography at the end of the text. The main text is very well organized for maneuverability within the text and pleasingly organized. A decent reading copy for the price.

Quotes:

“—he was vexed with himself that, by instinct, he should not appreciate her justly.” -Henry James, Daisy Miller

“I like a lady to be exclusive; I’m dying to be exclusive myself.” -Henry James, Daisy Miller

“That’s all I want—a little fuss!” -Henry James, Daisy Miller

“Of course a man may know everyone. Men are welcome to the privilege!” -Henry James, Daisy Miller

“—American women—the pretty ones, and this gave a largeness to the axiom—were at once the most exacting in the world and the least endowed with a sense of indebtedness.” -Henry James, Daisy Miller

“He is not a gentleman—he is only a clever imitation of one.” -Henry James, Daisy Miller