First serialized in “The Century Magazine” in 1885 and 1886, Henry James’s “The Bostonians” is the story of Basil Ransom and his cousin Olive Chancellor and their competition for the allegiance and affection of the talented and beautiful Verena Tarrant. Basil, a conservative lawyer and Civil War veteran, has gone to Boston to visit his cousin Olive, an outspoken and independent feminist who is very active in the cause. Olive takes her cousin to hear a speech on female emancipation and the speaker is the enchanting Verena. Both Basil and Olive are taken with her. Basil wishes to marry Verena and take her away from the public and political life she has been drawn to. Olive, however, wishes to see Verena continue in her activism and invites Verena to live with her and spend more time with her fellow feminists. Verena accepts Olive’s offer and thus begins a battle between two strong and intelligent people both vying for control over Verena’s future. Rich with political and romantic drama, detailed characters, and set against a fascinating cross-section of American life in the late 19th century, “The Bostonians” remains a timely and affecting achievement in American literature. This edition includes a biographical afterword.
