The Europeans

Written by Henry James

Narrated by Eleanor Bron

Eugenia, an American expatriate brought up in Europe, arrives in New England with her charming brother Felix, hoping to find a wealthy second husband. Their exotic, sophisticated airs cause quite a stir with their affluent, God-fearing American cousins, the Wentworths--and provoke the disapproval of their uncle. Eugenia wins the attentions of Robert Acton, the most appropriate suitor in the area, while also seducing her younger cousin, Clifford. On the other hand, Felix's luxurious romantic ways find acceptance with the American women--particularly Gertrude Wentworth. But misunderstandings of a different kind complicate his plans. In a bungle of culture clash and love triangles, the Europeans hang their fortunes upon their ability to adapt. But where their scheming leads them is the last place they expect. Includes a printable e-book in PDF format.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blackstone Audio
• Release date: Oct 1, 2010
• ISBN: 9781609980252

Henry James

Henry James (1843-1916) was an American author of novels, short stories, plays, and non-fiction. He spent most of his life in Europe, and much of his work regards the interactions and complexities between American and European characters. Among his works in this vein are The Portrait of a Lady (1881), The Bostonians (1886), and The Ambassadors (1903). Through his influence, James ushered in the era of American realism in literature. In his lifetime he wrote 12 plays, 112 short stories, 20 novels, and many travel and critical works. He was nominated three times for the Noble Prize in Literature.

Reviews for The Europeans

[devenish_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

On a basic level this is a story of two Europeans,Felix Young and his sister Baroness Eugenia Munster visiting their well-off American relatives. The family consists of father William Wentworth and his two daughters,Gertrude and Charlotte,plus a son, Clifford.As is usual with Henry James, we have here an extremely well written book in which very little happens. After much social by-play,most of the characters marry to mutual advantage.A very pleasant read.

[cecilturtle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I always enjoy James's ability to capture the subtleties in his characters, to the point where as to what they are thinking or feeling - the reader must almost have an intuition more than a knowledge of what will happen next. The Baroness's interest in Robert is dubious as is Robert's; Felix and Gertrude finally come together but in a most unorthodox fashion. Only Charlotte and her clergyman seem an obvious fit, but it's one that will seemingly never happen!Of course, my favourite are all the half-said words and little piques, which are a careful observation of society and its mores. The pitting of Americans and European is charming albeit sometimes stereotypical, but created a great backdrop for all the romantic intrigues.A light, delightful, little book in James's traditional style.

[mrsplum_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This well crafted (1878) novella was intended as a comedy, contrasting European values and manners with those of more puritanical Americans. While I can appreciate James's written style, his comedic intentions fell a little flat with me, most likely due to differences in our times.I found most of the characters too lightly drawn to sympathise with or particularly like. I can see how James intended us to laugh at them, particularly the haughty, fortune-hunting Baroness. In my view, she is too easy a target, and more to be pitied as James dooms her to a loveless end as pennance for her defects of character.There is a delicate art to creating characters who can be laughed at, heartily, but without cruelty. P.G. Wodehouse and George Bernard Shaw are two of its masters. I'm not convinced about James, despite his other literary talents.

[figgles_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A delightful and delicate tale of how two branches of a family (one unsophisticated, upright New Englanders one sophisticated, upright Europeans) come together to their mutual confusion and ultimate benefit (well benefit to some!). I had never thought of Henry James as a humourist but there is one scene towards the end of this book that had me laughing out loud.

[leandra53 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Die Baronin Eugenia Münster, die in unehrenhafter Verbindung zu einem böhmischen Fürsten steht, reist gemeinsam mit ihrem jüngeren Bruder zu ihrer unbekannten Verwandtschaft nach Boston - in der Hoffnung, sich dort ein neues Leben aufzubauen. Von der Familie - dem Onkel mit zwei Töchtern und einem Sohn - sowie deren kleinem gesellschaftlichen Kreis wird sie wohlwollend aufgenommen, aber es prallen zwei Lebensstile aufeinander - die amerikanisch-puritanische Nüchternheit und die europäische Kultiviertheit mit ihren vielen gesellschaftlichen Konventionen, die den Amerikanern völlig fremd sind. Auf diesem Hintergrund wirbelt Henry James die Beziehungen der Personen gründlich durcheinander, und am Ende der leichten, aber nicht seichten Komödie haben sich vier Paare gefunden, und eine Person reist ab.Wie alle Geschichten von Henry James lebt auch diese von den pointieren Dialogen und der komplexen Darstellung des Innenlebens ihrer Helden. Beste intelligente Unterhaltung!

[carmenere_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I rather liked this story. Some liken James to Jane Austen. In my opinion, this novella seemed more like a Shakespearian Comedy where characters are thrown together and torn apart all orchestrated by the Baroness Munster aka Eugenia and her brother Felix who have come to Boston for money and love but, instead, creates chaos for those seemingly attached. Written in the usual late 19th century prose but readable non the less.Edit | More

[michaelm42071 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Felix Young, a dilettante artist, and his sister Eugenia—Baroness Münster—descend on their American cousins the Wentworths. Eugenia is looking for money—she is about to be put away by her husband, the younger not the reigning Prince of Silberstadt-Schreckstein. Felix falls in love with Gertrude Wentworth, the younger, less attractive sister, easily taking her away from the dour young minister, Mr. Brand. When Felix tells Mr. Brand that the older sister Charlotte loves him, he becomes reconciled to the fact that Gertrude doesn’t, and eventually marries Charlotte.Meanwhile, will Mr. Acton marry the Baroness? Has she sent the letter agreeing to her marriage’s annulment? She says yes, but Acton finds out she lies. She goes back to Europe, mumbling about having gained nothing.The Wentworths live a straight-backed, spare life, though rich. They don’t seem to know how to take pleasure. Gertrude is different and suspects there is more out there; she ends up turning the tables on the clever Europeans by using Felix to get what she wants: to see the world. There is a subplot involving young Clifford Wentworth, who eventually marries Acton’s sister, but whom Eugenia tries to use, telling Acton the boy is in love with her. He isn’t, and candidly answers Acton’s questions about himself and Eugenia; thus Acton finds out that Eugenia lies.