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The Princess Casamassima: A Novel.

The Princess Casamassima: A Novel.

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The Princess Casamassima: A Novel.

by James, Henry

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
See description
Seller
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Palm Beach, Florida, United States
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About This Item

New York: Macmillan and Co, 1886. First American edition of one of James's "three formidable novels" published in the 1880s along with The Bostonians and The Tragic Muse. Octavo, original publisher's cloth. In near fine condition, name opposite the half-title page. Housed in a custom half morocco clamshell case. "The Princess Casamassima, a panoramic novel with a vivid English setting, documents a sensitive bookbinder's attempt to come to terms with his illegitimate birth and social disadvantages through involvement in subversive political action. Even more naturalistic than its predecessor [The Bostonians], The Princess reads today like an elegy for the beauty and traditions painfully evolved by civilized society and now endangered by what Yeats called 'mere anarchy'" (Gargano, 122).

Synopsis

The illegitimate and impoverished son of a dressmaker and a nobleman, Hyacinth Robinson has grown up with a strong sense of beauty that heightens his acute sympathy for the inequalities that surround him. Drawn into a secret circle of radical politics he makes a rash vow to commit a violent act of terrorism. But when the Princess Casamassima - beautiful, clever and bored - takes him up and introduces him to her own world of wealth and refinement, Hyacinth is torn. He is horrified by the destruction that would be wreaked by revolution, but still believes he must honour his vow, and finds himself gripped in an agonizing and, ultimately, fatal dilemma. A compelling blend of psychological observation, wit and compassion, The Princess Casamassima (1886) is one of Henry James's most deeply personal novels.

Reviews

On Sep 7 2017, a reader said:
To my small mind - this is the finest novel Henry James wrote period. JMK

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Details

Bookseller
Raptis Rare Books US (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #
143493
Title
The Princess Casamassima: A Novel.
Author
James, Henry
Book Condition
Used
Binding
Hardcover
Publisher
Macmillan and Co
Place of Publication
New York
Date Published
1886
Keywords
Henry James First Edition, The Princess Casamassima First Edition

Terms of Sale

Raptis Rare Books

30 day return guarantee, with full refund including shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed.

About the Seller

Raptis Rare Books

Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Biblio member since 2012
Palm Beach, Florida

About Raptis Rare Books

Founded by Matthew and Adrienne Raptis, Raptis Rare Books is an antiquarian book firm that specializes in literature, children's books, economics, photo books, signed and inscribed books, and landmark books in all fields. Our business model is simple: we strive to handle books that are in exceptional condition and to provide exceptional customer service.

Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Fine
A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
Morocco
Morocco is a style of leather book binding that is usually made with goatskin, as it is durable and easy to dye. (see also...
Publisher's cloth
A hardcover book comprised of cloth over hard pasteboard boards. ...
Octavo
Another of the terms referring to page or book size, octavo refers to a standard printer's sheet folded four times, producing...

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