Daisy Miller: Victorian Romance

By Henry James

Daisy Miller portrays the courtship of the beautiful American girl Daisy Miller by Winterbourne, a sophisticated compatriot of hers. His pursuit of her is hampered by her own flirtatiousness, which is frowned upon by the other expatriates when they meet in Switzerland and Italy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: e-artnow
• Release date: Mar 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9788026888215

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.

Book preview

Act First

Table of Contents

Garden and terrace of an hotel on the Lake of Geneva. The portico of the hotel to the left, with steps leading up to it. In the background a low parapet dividing the garden from the lake, and divided itself by a small gate opening upon a flight of steps which are supposed to descend to a pier. Beyond this a distant view of mountains and of the lake, with the Chateau de Chillon. Orange-trees in green tubs, benches, a few small tables and chairs.

Scene First

Table of Contents

(Madame de Katkoff, Eugenio.)

Mme. de Katkoff. (Coming in as if a little startled, with a French book in a pink cover under her arm.) I believe he means to speak to me! He is capable of any impertinence.

Eugenio. (Following slowly, handsomely dressed, with a large watchguard, and a courier’s satchel over his shoulder. He takes off his hat and bows obsequiously, but with a certain mock respect.) Madame does me the honor to recognize me, I think.

Mme. de Katkoff. Certainly I recognize you. I never forget my servants, especially (with a little laugh) the faithful ones!

Eugenio. Madame’s memory is perhaps slightly at fault in leading her to speak of me as a servant Mme. de Katkoff. What were you, then? A friend, possibly?

Eugenio. May I not say that I was, at least on a certain occasion, an adviser?

Mme. de Katkoff. In the way of occasions, I remember only the one on which I turned you out of the house.

Eugenio. You remember it with a little regret, I hope.

Mme. de Katkoff. An immense deal—that I hadn’t dismissed you six months sooner!

Eugenio. I comprehend the regret of Madame. It was in those six months that an incident occurred—(He pauses.)

Mme. de Katkoff. An incident?

Eugenio. An incident which it is natural that Madame should not have desired to come to the knowledge of persons occupying a position, however humble, near Madame.

Mme. de Katkoff. (Aside.) He is more than impertinent—he is dangerous. (Aloud.) You are very audacious. You took away a great deal of money.

Eugenio. Madame appears to have an abundance.

Mme. de Katkoff. (Looking at him a moment.) Yes, I have enough.

Eugenio. (Smiling.) Madame is to be congratulated! I have never ceased to take an interest in Madame. I have followed her—at a distance.

Mme. de Katkoff. The greater the distance, the better!

Eugenio. (Significantly.) Yes, I remember that Madame was very fond of her privacy. But I intrude as little as possible. I have duties at present which give me plenty of occupation. Not so much, indeed, as when I was in the employment of Monsieur de Katkoff: that was the busiest part of my life. The Russians are very exacting—the Americans are very easyl Mme. de Katkoff. You are with Americans now?

Eugenio. Madame sees that she is willing to talk! I am travelling with a family from New York—a family of three persons.

Mme. de Katkoff. You have no excuse, then, for detaining me; you know where to find conversation.

Eugenio. Their conversation is not so agreeable as that of Madame! (With a slight change of tone.) I know more about you than you perhaps suspect.

Mme. de Katkoff. I know what you know.

Eugenio. Oh, I don’t allude to Madame’s secrets. I should never be so indiscreet! It is not a secret to-day that Madame has a charming villa on this lovely lake, about three miles from Geneva.

Mme. de Katkoff. No, that is not a secret.

Eugenio. And that though she leads a life of elegant seclusion, suited to the mourning which she has never laid aside—though she has lightened it a little—since she became a widow, Madame does not entirely shut her doors. She receives a few privileged persons.

Mme. de Katkoff. (Aside.) What on earth is he coming to? (Aloud.) Do you aspire to be one of them?

Eugenio. I should count upon it the day I should have something particular to say to Madame. But that day may never come.

Mme. de Katkoff. Let us hope so!

Eugenio. Let us hope so! Meanwhile Madame is in a position to know as well as myself that—as I said just now—the Americans are very easy.

Mme. de Katkoff. The Americans?

Eugenio. Perhaps, after all, Madame doesn’t find them so? Her most privileged visitor is of that nationality! Has he discovered—like me—that the Russians are very exacting?

Mme. de Katkoff. (Looking at him a moment, then quickly, though with an effort.) The Russians, when their antagonists go too far, can be as dangerous as anyone else! I forget your nationality.

Eugenio. I am not sure that Madame ever knew it. I’m an Italian Swiss, a native of the beautiful city of Lugano. Is Madame acquainted with Lugano? If she should go that way, I recommend the Hotel Washington: always our Americans, you see! The Russians? They are the most dangerous people I know, and we gentlemen who take charge of families know everything.

Mme. de Katkoff. You had better add frankly that you traffic in your knowledge.

Eugenio. What could be more just? It costs us a good deal to get it.

Mme. de Katkoff. (To herself, after a pause.) It is best to know the worst, and have done with it. (Aloud.) How much do you want?

Eugenio. How much do I want for what? For keeping quiet about Mr. Winterbourne, so that his family shan’t think he’s wasting his time, and come out from America to bring him home? You see I know even his name! He’s supposed to be at Geneva for purposes of study.

Mme. de Katkoff. How much do you want to go away and never let me see you again? Be merciful. Remember that I’m not rich.

Eugenio. I know exactly the fortune of Madame! She is not rich, for very good reasons—she was exceedingly extravagant in her youth! On the other hand, she is by no means in misery. She is not rich, like the American lady—the amiable Mrs. Miller—whom I have at present the honor to serve; but she is able to indulge herself with the usual luxuries.

Mme. de Katkoff. It would be a luxury to get rid of you!

Eugenio. Ah, I’m not sure that Madame can afford that; that would come under the head of extras! Moreover, I’m not in want of money. The amiable Mrs. Miller—

Mme. de Katkoff. (Interrupting.) The amiable Mrs. Miller is as great a fool as I?

Eugenio. I should never think of comparing her with Madame! Madame has much more the appearance of one who is born to command. It is for this reason that I approached her with the utmost deliberation. I recognized her three days ago, the evening she arrived at the hotel, and I pointed her out to Mrs. Miller as a Russian lady of great distinction, whose husband I had formerly the honor to serve in a very confidential position. Mrs. Miller has a daughter even more amiable than herself, and this young lady was profoundly impressed with the distinguished appearance of Madame.

Mme. de Katkoff. Her good opinion is doubtless of great value; but I suppose it’s hardly to assure me of that—

Eugenio. I may add that I didn’t permit myself to make any further remarks.

Mme. de Katkoff. And your discretion’s an example of what you are capable of doing? I should be happy to believe it, and if you have not come to claim your reward—

Eugenio. My reward? My reward shall be this: that we leave the account open between us! (Changing his tone entirely.) Let me speak to you very frankly. Some eight years ago, when you were thirty years old, you were living at Dresden.

Mme. de Katkoff. I was living at Dresden, but I was not thirty years old.

Eugenio. The age doesn’t matter—we will call it twenty, if you like—that makes me younger, too. At that time I was under your roof; I was the confidential servant, on a very exceptional footing, of M. de Katkoff. He had a great deal of business—a great deal of diplomatic business; and as he employed me very often to write for him—do you remember my beautiful hand?—I was not so much a servant as a secretary. At any rate, I was in a position to observe that you had a quarrel with your husband.

Mme. de Katkoff. In a position? I should think you were! He paid you to spy upon me.

Eugenio. To spy upon you?

Mme. de Katkoff. To watch me—to follow me—to calumniate me.

Eugenio. (Smiling.) That’s just the way you used to talk! You were always violent, and that gave one an advantage.

Mme. de Katkoff. All this is insupportable. Please to spare me your reminiscences, and come to the point.

Eugenio. The point is this—that I got the advantage of you then, and that I have never lost it! Though you didn’t care for your husband, you cared for someone else; and M. de Katkoff—with my assistance, if you will—discovered the object of your preference. Need I remind you of what followed, the day this discovery became known to you? Your surprise was great, because you thought yourself safe; but your anger was even greater. You found me for a moment in your path, and you imagined—for that moment—that I was a Russian serf. The mistake had serious consequences. You called me by the vilest of names—and I have never forgotten it!

Mme. de Katkoff. I thank you for reminding me of my contempt. It was extremely sweet.

Eugenio. It made you very reckless. I got possession of two letters, addressed to the person I speak of, and singularly rash compositions. They bear your signature in full.

Mme. de Katkoff. Can there be any better proof that I have nothing to be ashamed of?

Eugenio. You were not ashamed then, because, as I have already remarked, you were reckless. But to-day you are wise.

Mme. de Katkoff. (Proudly.) Whatever I have said—I have always signed!

Eugenio. It’s a habit I appreciate. One of those letters I gave to M. de Katkoff; the other—the best—I kept for myself.

Mme. de Katkoff. What do you mean by the best?

Eugenio. I mean—the worst!

Mme. de Katkoff. It can’t be very bad.

Eugenio. (Smiling.) Should you like me to submit it to a few of your friends?

Mme. de Katkoff. (Aside.) Horrible man! (Aloud.) That’s the point, then: you wish to sell it.

Eugenio. No; I only wish you to know I have it.

Mme. de Katkoff. I knew that already. What good does

Reviews for Daisy Miller

[msnikki · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Daisy is a free spirited American on vacation in Europe. Her would be suitor is the urbane Winterbourne. Daisy carefree ways are frowned upon in Europe. Henry James' novella about society and manners is still relevant, if a little pessimistic. Who suffers more the one who breaks with convention or the one who follows society's norms? You'll enjoy having to read this story for the answer.

[stouthearted_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Daisy Miller is the story of a naive young woman and the head-over-heels man who chases her. Daisy is an interesting character who seems to be way before her time. In her society, her vivaciousness, recklessness and trust in strangers earns her the scorn of the well-to-do. In today's world, Daisy would be a youtube star and have her own reality dating show. Yet unlike today's 15 minutes of fame seekers, Daisy has an innocence about her that leads her to be unable to comprehend why her behavior should bother anybody. The novella strongly suggests that she is the result of bad breeding, through the character of a dotty, unconcerned and helpless mother and an absent father.The novella's hero, Winterbourne, comes off like the disillusioned lover who suffers under the whims of Daisy. However, it is interesting to note that the beginning and end of the novel finds him rumored to have women on the side. Even Daisy deduces in Vevey that he has another women. Whether Henry James recognized this double standard is difficult to say. Winterbourne's aunt does lament that men can walk about the streets alone but women cannot, yet she does not question this doctrine. It seems the author frowns upon Daisy's behavior, judging by the fate he prescribed for her, having her die while realizing her folly. Yet Winterbourne has no growth at the end; he is back to where he started, adrift in Geneva. I think Daisy's ultimate folly is her lack of cleverness. She is too open to hide what she thinks and feels, which works against her. Others try desperately to warn her, but she sees no sense in denying herself fun and pleasure. It is interesting that while she doesn't "get" society, she still hurts from realizing that she has been completely cut off from it. A clever girl would have been discrete, but Daisy is too open for that. It is clear after being introduced to her family that she was not raised with any sense of propriety and education. Thus, it is hard to completely condemn her, when her earnestness keeps her chaming, and away from being a succubus.Winterbourne comes off as immature as Daisy, yet he escapes unscathed, perhaps because he gets reeled back into society when he casts off his obsessive love. The character is not as fleshed out as, say Age of Innocence's Archer, but goes through the same repressed emotions. Like Archer, Winterbourne has a taboo love for one unacceptable to society, and gives her up to remain a respected part of that society. But unlike Archer, Winterbourne is flat and only seems to come alive when around the Millers in Vevey. In Rome, he becomes an obsessed, jealous version of his Vevey self, but still Daisy's defender until his run-in with her at the Coliseum. After Daisy's death, he becomes flat again. Condemn Daisy as her society or author might, she has this power to bring Winterbourne (whom she rightfully called "dull") alive.What to make of her recklessness, then? Having her succumb to the fever after realizing Winterbourne is no longer her admirer seems awfully dramatic and soap opera-ish. It seems to say that once you are fully cut off from society, you might as well die. This suggests that Daisy's independence was only sustainable if there were admirers around her. Perhaps, like a flower, she thrived on love and positive emotions. These things taken away, she finally shriveled up and died.

[gwendolyndawson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A flirtatious and vacuous American girl meets a European gentlemen. The girl is ultimately destroyed by her own frivolity and innocence. To me, this story is allegorical, with implications far broader than it first appears. Classic Henry James. Recommended.

[alic_77 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Daisy's disregard for convention comes off as a bit dated now.

[rayette_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not my favorite James, but I enjoyed it. The ending is beautiful and sad.

[greentea_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I believe I thought about this book more after reading than I did while enjoying it.

[stro_2 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

A mild mystery, with rather a pompous/self-centred first person narrator (by today's standards). OK for a change, but no teeth!

[jolerie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

He remembered that a cynical compatriot has once told him that 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. Page 32Daisy Miller is an young woman from Schenectady, New York, on vacation with her family to Vevay Switzerland. From the beginning, her actions, her thoughts, and her words sets her apart from European society and their definition of acceptable social conduct. Her carefree and uninhibited nature sets her at odds with those around her and in the end leads to catastrophic and irreversible consequences. I appreciated James social commentary on the differences between American and English society and how someone who is unfamiliar with one or the other will inevitably find themselves treading dangerous territory. Daisy as a character is intriguing in that you can definitely see how ahead of the times she is and simultaneously how ahead of the the times, James is as a writer in the mid to late 19 century. Her pushing of boundaries in what society deems as proper and right and her insistence to go her own way oddly reflects the spirit of freedom that we applaud and advocate for women today. Some have complained about the tendency for James to be verbose and longwinded with this writing, but at novella length, I barely noticed that flaw with Daisy Miller. If anything, this little book was just an exercise in warming up the pen for his later works and with that, Daisy Miller has given me the confidence to explore Henry James' other novels.

[cbl_tn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Winterbourne is a young American who has made his home in Switzerland. While visiting an aunt in Vevey, he encounters a young American boy who soon introduces Winterbourne to his sister, Daisy Miller. After a brief acquaintance with Daisy Miller in Vevey, Winterbourne encounters her again several months later in Rome. The Millers seem to have more money than class. Mrs. Miller seems to have no control over her children. Among the expatriates in Rome, Daisy has tarnished her reputation by keeping company with an Italian man without a chaperone in attendance. Winterbourne doesn't know what to make of Daisy. Is she immoral or just socially naïve? Just as Winterbourne is making up his mind, tragedy strikes.Daisy Miller is a study of both character and culture. The American expatriates aren't just shocked by Daisy's unchaperoned excursions. Her worst offense seems to be keeping company with foreign men. (Nevermind that the Americans are the real foreigners in the story.) The Millers have a European escort whom they treat as an equal, a social faux pas. Winterbourne is intrigued by Daisy and is torn between helping her repair her reputation and contributing to its ruin. I recommend reading this novella in a single sitting for best effect.

[aliceanna-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very nicely written psychological-type drama: the psychology of what made Daisy Miller tick, why the protagonist found her endearing, why the aunt refused to recognize her existence. All of these questions made for an interesting read.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Winterbourne happens upon a young boy and his older sister, Daisy Miller, in Switzerland. She's a terrible flirt. Both parties end up in Italy where Daisy's infatuation with an Italian man is gaining her an unfavorable reputation. Daisy's mother doesn't act very grown up. Her little brother is more than a little pesky. Winterbourne doesn't act as you would expect him. This novella has characters that are developed but that do not appeal much to 21st century readers. The lead character is particularly annoying. I listened to the Overdrive audio version of this book which was well-done. I read the book several years ago, and my reaction to the book and its characters this time seems to be the same as I remember from the reading of it then.

[lauralkeet · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

...he wondered what were the regular conditions and limitations of one's intercourse with a pretty American flirt. It presently became apparent that he was on the way to learn.While traveling in Europe Frederick Winterbourne encounters young, vivacious Daisy Miller who is on a tour of the Continent with her inattentive, helpless mother and annoying 9-year-old brother. These three had little to redeem them, in my opinion, but Winterbourne was captivated with Daisy and willing to put up with the other two in the interest of spending time with her. Throughout this novella Daisy flaunts traditional mores about how young women should behave with men. Daisy’s mothered allows Daisy and Winterbourne to visit a castle unchaperoned, and yet Winterbourne was later dismayed to find Daisy alone with a man, I suppose because he realized he had not received special treatment. The central conflict is dealt with in a perfunctory manner, and what should have been an emotional ending simply fell flat for me.

[danielstj · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A clever and skillful portrait of a young lady, described as a coquette, who attempts to weave her way into luxury and society. Her attempts ultimately prove to be her undoing.3.5-- Better than expected.

[encephalical · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Delightful, but bewarned the Penguin Classics edition has spoilers in the end notes (not to mention the introduction, which is disproportionately long.)

[bookomaniac-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Eerder novelle, nogal oppervlakkig, maar wel intens geschreven.

[kathleen586 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Henry James is a very good writer, but this novella is rather odd. All of his books I have read leave me feeling unsettled, and this one is no exception.

[ajbraithwaite_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The first thing I've read by Henry James and I wasn't dazzled by it. It boils down to a simple morality tale - mothers lock up your daughters, young ladies don't you dare to gad about Rome with handsome Italian men. Winterbourne seemed to be simultaneously stiff (in Daisy's words) and spineless, while Daisy seemed to be a lost soul with few merits beyond good looks. Not a very satisfying read.

[lkernagh · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I am not sure if Henry James and I are meant to “get along”. I thought I would tread gently into his works by starting off with this short novella. On its surface, [Daisy Miller] is nothing more than a story about a flirtatious and rather uncontrollable young woman with her own views of what is acceptable behaviour for her to engage in, much to the chagrin of the pretentious American expatriate community residing in Rome. If one chooses to look for deeper meaning, the story could be held up as an examination of innocence, given that Winterbourne is preoccupied with the question of whether Daisy is “innocent” - is she truly naïve/ ignorant or actually culpable of her actions? On the surface, Daisy is a very unlikable character for me to relate to. She is allowed to roam free (her mother having no backbone to control her wilsome children), bristles at any attempts to reign her in and very much likes to be in control of the people around her. Winterbourne comes across as no better than a man somewhat bored with his life in Europe and believes himself to be smitten with Daisy – although one wonders if he is more smitten with Daisy’s representation of American beauty and poignant innocence than he is with Daisy.Overall, while I found the characters to be dislikeable, I can appreciate James’s skill at using storytelling to examine moral implications of an artlessness or innocence that just does not hold its own against the worldliness and cynicism surrounding it.

[wealhtheowwylfing · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I tried to read this years ago, but couldn't bear to finish it. I tried it again, and it was just as terrible as I remembered. The main character is Mr. Winterbourne, a man so priggish that at 27 he still travels with his aunt and wonders with horror if the women he talks to are flirting with him. He is enchanted by Daisy Miller, a banal but pretty girl. However, when next they meet she is behaving all the more outrageously (walking in public places without a chaperone!) and he struggles to reconcile his disapproval with his like of her pretty ways. In the end, she dies of staying out too late at night. Literally.

It's a short read, and thus a good test sample of everything I hate about Henry James--the flat, emotionless tone, the eliptical conversations that say nothing, the stupid slang, the piles of adjectives, the prudish story.

[kidzdoc_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novella is set in the last days of the 19th century, and opens in a resort town in Switzerland, as a young American man of means decides to leave Geneva to visit his aunt. While there, he meets a spirited young American woman from upstate New York, whose attractiveness is exceeded only by her impetuosity. The man is bewitched by her charm and flirtatiousness, to the chagrin of his aunt who finds her to be vulgar and reckless, and he eventually catches up with her some time later in Italy. There she engages in even more scandalous behavior than she did in Switzerland, which ultimately leads to her downfall."Daisy Miller" was an interesting story about a young woman who would have fit in well in 1920s America, but was ahead of her time in the 1890s Europe, whose upper classes were not ready for women who spoke their minds and refused to allow societal constraints to constrict their lives.

[luli81_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A short story which deals, as many other novels by James, with the changing role of women in Society and the differences that begun to arise between the old stiff Europe and the America at the end of the XIXth century.Daisy Miller is not like any other heroine of the time, she speaks her mind, defies the imposed roles of propriety and goes unchaperoned with as many gentlemen as she chooses to. Her transparent ways might have found a true companion in the sophisticated American Mr. Winterbourne, but his classical ways and a social disadjustment prevents them from a happy ending.As usual, Henry James presents her feminine character as a limited creature; innocent, stupid and flirtatious. Her lack of intelligence brings her to a fateful destiny which seems to be exposed as a lesson to be learnt for all of us who belong the weak sex.The novel could also be regarded as a cynical account of a decaying society and its hypocritical members. Anyway, I found it preposterous, simple - minded and unidimensional. I don't seem to get into Henry James' style, too misogynist for me!

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Daisy Miller is a novella written by Henry James that was originally published in 1878. James delivers his story in a conversational, gossipy manner as he tells about the relations between men and women of the upper class during the Belle Epoch era, in particular, a story about a young, unsophisticated American named Daisy Miller and the consequences that can happen when one ignores the social conventions of the day. The story is told by another American, Winterbourne, who comes across as sophisticated rich young man who spends most of his time in Europe pursuing his own pleasures. He meets Daisy Miller and her family in Vevay, Switzerland and finds himself quite taken by Daisy. His very correct Aunt however refuses to be introduced to her as she considers this family to be crass. Winterbourne then makes a point of travelling to Rome later in the year when she and her family are there with the intention of renewing their acquaintance. Unfortunately Daisy still seems quite clueless as to the accepted behavior of the day and manages to become the “talk of the town”. I really enjoyed this story but was rather taken aback at the abrupt and tragic ending that James provides. The harsh judgment of Daisy by society versus the acceptance of Winterbourne, with his loose morals, was an interesting contrast. I would have liked to have had access to Daisy’s thoughts and feelings rather that just the priggish Winterbourne’s. In the end Daisy does appear to reveal that she did care about Winterbourne so perhaps her behavior was simply to gall him into some kind of action.

[mbmackay · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This volume included other stories by Henry James: THE ASPERN PAPERS, THE TURN OF THE SCREW. All good short fiction - maybe I have been wrong about James & he is actually readable!!Read Samoa Dec 2003

[dorritt_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The plot is simply told: while touring Europe, an eligible young bachelor, Winterbourne, an American who has spent almost his whole life in Geneva, finds himself attracted to the beautiful, nouveau riche American tourist Daisy Miller. Within a few sentences, the conflict emerges: while he is guarded and conservative, she is brash and even coarse. Does she flout social convention because she’s too innocent to recognize it, or simply because she refuses to be bound by it? James depicts Daisy as a sort of adult child: beautiful, possessing a sophisticated eye for style, but also impetuous, naïve and plain-spoken in the way children are before they are taught by their elders to dissemble. While modern readers may be put off by her coarseness (treating servants as equals, making plans to travel with gentleman sans chaperone, etc.), I believe James means us to admire her self-confidence and courage. Many of his novels pit “brash” Americans against “conventional” European characters in a way that clearly indicates his preference for the former. Daisy’s fatal flaw isn’t that she scorns the rules of society, he seems to say, but that she isn’t aware of them; and that when she is made aware of them, she refuses to acknowledge the validity of being judged by them. As Daisy herself says in one pivotal scene: “If [I] am all improper, [then] you must give me up.” This being James, you know not to expect a happy ending, nor does James give us one. Winterbourne, bowing to the prejudices of his snobbish aunt (plus a measure of jealousy, James implies), overmasters his affection and convinces himself to give Daisy up as unworthy of his regard. Whereupon Daisy catches “Roman fever,” sickens, and dies. Significantly, her final words are an avowal of her innocence, an avowal which her "scandalous" male companion Giovanni, endearingly resigned to having been “friend-zoned” by the lovely American girl, confirms when he assures Winterbourne, “She was the most innocent.” James at his most manipulative, offering us a final chance to contrast Daisy’s strength – her determination to remain herself to the end - against Winterbourne’s weakness – his decision to shun her. Ultimately, the lesson seems to be that while Daisy is destroyed by her own innocence, Winterbourne’s chance of happiness is destroyed too, by his inability to accept her on her own terms. As Winterbourne sums up in the final pages: “I was booked to make a mistake. I have lived too long in foreign parts.”If you’ve been hesitant to take on Henry James, this isn’t a bad place to start. Daisy Miller is short (~100 pages, depending on edition), introduces many of the themes that appear in James’ subsequent works, and – perhaps most importantly, provides the new reader a chance to acclimate themselves to what one might call the “classic Jamesian denoument,” in which no one lives happily ever after and the reader resigns themselves to living with ambiguity.

[cecrow · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The character Daisy Miller presents a bit of a mystery, appearing aloof from society's impressions and entirely uncaring. This is more than half the fault of the narrator, as it turns out, who is American by birth but has become European by habit. There's an autobiographical element to this novella since James himself was accused by his brother of having become too European in his outlook. It's probably the easiest read I've encountered so far among James' repertoire, not very indicative of his style in general, but the theme of American versus European society will occur again.

[caropi-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoy a lot reading this book is very fresh and well written Henry James manage to describe the difference between the american and the italian society in the time, as well as their manners. Is a very good book and very easy to read.

[devenish_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

'Daisy Miller' is a young American girl traveling in Europe with her mother and younger brother. She meets a rather stiff and correct young man,who finds himself attracted to her. Daisy likes him,but it has to be said,is a 'flirt',and is never without a male companion and one usually of a completely unsuitable type. She is snubbed by polite society and finds herself isolated. She spurns advice and ends up dying from fever.This is a little gem of a book which always comes up fresh with each re-reading.

[leore_joanne · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I didn't like this book too much. Didn't care for the narrator much either.I find 'Turn of the Screw' as a much more well-written Henry James

[rebeccaann_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The story's easy to follow. A young American girl in the late 1800s who is new to money does not understand society's rules. She flirts and openly goes around with strange men of unknown origins. She cares little for her own reputation. Winterbourne finds her pretty and is instantly attracted to her. When she pushes the boundaries, he shoves right back. In the end, Daisy pays the price. In a society where the double standards favor men, Daisy is punished by the author for being reckless. Winterbourne? He gets off with no harm done to his person. Typical.I liked this story. It was fun and easy. The story was told from Winterbourne's point of view, so it was hard to tell if Daisy was just ignorant of the rules or if she was purposely flaunting them. I personally thought she was ignorant and the "mystery behind Daisy Miller" was just a fantasy Winterbourne forced upon her image. Who knows?All in all, I liked this story!

[stefany_6 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you enjoy reading classic literature, you might consider giving Daisy Miller a try. James' eloquent writing style and study of cultural ideas make this a very entertaining read. James looks closely at the culture of 19th century Americans on holiday in Europe. The narration makes for a very good window into the attitudes and opinions of the upper class at the time and the perceived differences between those with "old money" and those with "new money."For the most part, this is a light read. It does contain a few dark moments, and in the end the main character really does not exhibit any real growth. All in all, I found it to be interesting and enjoyed James' humor throughout. He has a very nice way of poking fun at some of the conventions of the time while managing to make these things seem of import to his characters. This infuses the story with the life that it needs to keep the reader interested enough to keep reading.