The Bostonians

Set in 19th-century Boston, the story revolves around the complex relationships between a progressive woman, Olive Chancellor, and her cousin, Verena Tarrant, a charming young woman with a talent for public speaking. As Olive seeks to mold Verena into a champion for women's rights, tensions arise between personal ambition and societal expectations. The novel explores themes of feminism, power dynamics, and the clash between tradition and modernity, showcasing James' keen insights into character psychology and social commentary.