The Europeans

The narrative centers on a fortune-hunting European countess and her charismatic brother visiting their cousins in Boston, highlighting the cultural clash between their lavish, morally ambiguous lifestyle and the more reserved American values. Henry James delves into themes of personal relationships and societal norms, illustrating the complexities of consciousness and perception through his characters. First published in 1878, this work reflects James's mastery of realism and his exploration of the American-European encounter.