“The story is the journey, not the destination. Or so the philosophers say. But this is my story, and it has a beginning, a middle, and an end….” This luminous and profoundly moving novel is inspired by the life of Constance Fenimore Woolson, a respected American author of the nineteenth century. It delves into themes of passion, life, death, friendship, and art, vividly evoking the complex forces behind literary creation. After years of supporting her mother and a hapless brother through her writing, Constance, now in early middle age, feels “hungry, ravenous to see and live as much as possible.” She sails for Europe with a letter of introduction to her admired writer, Henry James. Enchanted by Europe, particularly Italy, Constance eventually meets James in Florence. He is delighted by this intelligent, independent woman, whom he affectionately calls “Fenimore,” and makes her his confidante. Constance discovers with James “the unequalled joy of never running out of things to say.” However, her courageous, open nature contrasts with James’s more secretive demeanor, leading to friction, transgression, and revenge in both private and public spheres. Elegantly conceived and life-affirming, this novel offers an unforgettable portrait of a remarkable woman who lived passionately and refused to accept the narrowing of her world.
