The Princess Casamassima

"The Princess Casamassima" is a psychologically probing novel by Henry James about the politics and social inequalities of 19th century London. It is the story of Hyacinth Robinson, the intelligent and impoverished young bookbinder, who finds himself caught up in a world of radical politics and revolution, conflicted between a newfound world of beauty, wealth and refinement, and the honor of upholding his vows. Henry James (1843-1916) was an American-born English writer whose novels, short stories and letters established the foundation of the modernist movement in twentieth century fiction and poetry. His career, one of the most significant and influential in English literature, spanned over five decades and resulted in a body of work that has had a profound impact on generations of writers. Born in New York, but educated in France, Germany, England and Switzerland, James often explored the cultural discord between the Old World (Europe) and the New World (United States) in his writings.