The Golden Bowl

by Henry James
The Golden Bowl cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Literary Fiction
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Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £14.99
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Technical
  • ID: 5311
  • Added: 2025-10-23
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9780140432350
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 1985-01-01
  • Formats: 3
  • Reviews: 3

The Golden Bowl, a novel by Henry James, explores the intricate relationships between American millionaire Adam Verver, his daughter Maggie, and their respective spouses. The story delves into themes of love, loyalty, and the complexities of family dynamics, with the golden bowl serving as a symbolic centerpiece. As the narrative unfolds, Maggie's marriage to Prince Amerigo and her father's marriage to Charlotte Stant are put to the test. The novel examines the emotional and psychological tensions that arise from their intertwined lives, ultimately leading to a profound exploration of human relationships and the consequences of their choices.

Reviews
John Sloan's Reviews · John Sloan · 2022-01-20
fascinating 4.50

The story is long and complicated, but it is fascinating in its critical and sympathetic analysis of the characters' emotional and moral struggles.

John Sloan's review highlights the complexity and length of the story, but praises its critical and sympathetic analysis of the characters' emotional and moral struggles. The reviewer finds the narrative fascinating and appreciates the depth of the character development. The story is seen as a rich exploration of human nature and the moral dilemmas that arise from it. The reviewer acknowledges the challenges of the book, but ultimately finds it a rewarding read.

Quick quotes

    Long and complicated story was fascinating in its critical and sympathetic analysis of believable characters' emotional and moral weightlifting.

    The narrative is rich and complex, with a deep exploration of human nature and moral dilemmas.

    The book is a challenging read, but ultimately a rewarding one.

Keeping Up With The Penguins · 2018-11-06
brilliant 4.50

The language is complex and dense, but the story is compelling and worth the effort. The characters are beautifully developed and the themes are rich and thought-provoking.

This book is a challenging read due to its dense and complex language, but it's a rewarding experience for those who persist. The characters are intricately developed, and the themes of love, betrayal, and self-discovery are explored in a nuanced way. The story is compelling, and the author's use of ambiguity adds depth to the narrative. It's a book that requires patience and attention, but the payoff is a rich and satisfying reading experience.

Quick quotes

    The language in this book is dense and complex, but it's worth the effort to unpack it.

    The characters are beautifully developed and the themes are rich and thought-provoking.

    The story is compelling and the author's use of ambiguity adds depth to the narrative.

The Guardian · 2014-05-26
intriguing 4.50

The story of Maggie Verver's education, both literal and emotional, is at the heart of this novel. The book is filled with ambiguity and complexity.

The Guardian's review focuses on the central theme of Maggie Verver's education, both literal and emotional. The reviewer highlights the ambiguity and complexity of the novel, noting that it is filled with subtle nuances that require careful reading. The story is seen as a profound exploration of human relationships and the moral dilemmas that arise from them. The reviewer appreciates the depth and richness of the narrative, but also acknowledges the challenges it presents to the reader.

Quick quotes

    The dominant theme is the story of Maggie Verver's education, both literal and emotional.

    The book is filled with ambiguity and complexity.

    It is a profound exploration of human relationships and the moral dilemmas that arise from them.

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