A review by thiswasatriumph
The Bostonians by Henry James

emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The more compelling read of this: James shows how traditional gender norms, while abhorrent reinforcers of destructive ideologies, hold so much sway as to ruin the life and happy career of an agreeable young woman. Less compelling: James had a fantasy about the worst person he could imagine (a Confederate who shared James’ prejudices) wooing away one of the Vestals of the suffrage movement, reinforcing how weak-willed women oughtn’t be agitating for political equality.