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Wings of the Dove
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Wings of the Dove Mass market paperbound - 1999

by Henry James; Introduction by Brenda Wineapple


About this book

Set in turn-of-the-century London, Henry James’ The Wings of the Dove tells the story of Mildred “Milly” Theale, an orphaned American heiress, and the mixed motives of those around her, namely Kate Croy. Kate is a scheming young woman in love with Merton Densher, a man too poor to offer her a “fashionable marriage.” Thus, she conspires to push Merton towards Milly, who has an unnamed fatal illness, with the hope of eventually enhancing her lover’s financial status.

Like much of James’ earlier works, The Wings of the Dove involves the universal themes of selfishness, greed, conspiracy, love, and betrayal. It also addresses the Victorian tradition and pitches American innocence against European cunning. However, the novel, written later in the author’s life, deals with deeper psychological aspects than his earlier works. While it does include social commentary, the central conflict of the novel regards moral character as opposed to cultural background.

There have been many adaptations of The Wings of the Dove. Perhaps most notable is director Iain Softley’s 1997 film version starring Alison Elliott as Milly Theale, Helena Bonham Carter as Kate Croy, and Linus Roache as Merton Densher. The film was a box office hit that won several prizes and award nominations, including Bonham Carter’s Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

The Wings of the Dove is ranked 26th on Modern Library's list of the “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century. 

Summary

An angel with a thumping bank account

Milly Theale, an American heiress in London, is young, hungry for life, and terminally ill. There she meets the dazzling beauty Kate Croy. Unbeknownst to Milly, Kate is madly in love with an old acquaintance of hers, Merton Densher, a young journalist who has everything a woman like Kate could want—except money.

Intensely aware of her new friend’s fate and coveting her fortune, Kate secretly spurs Merton to seduce and marry Milly, who believes that to die without having loved is not to have lived at all. But when Milly discovers their scheme to inherit her wealth, Kate and Merton learn that deceit can have unforeseen consequences....

From the publisher

An angel with a robust bank account

Milly Theale, an American heiress in London, is young, hungry for life, and terminally ill. There she meets the dazzling beauty Kate Croy and reunites with an old acquaintence, Merton Densher. Unbeknownst to Milly, Kate is madly in love with Merton, a young journalist who has everything a woman like Kate could want except money.

Intensely aware of her new friend s fate and coveting her fortune, Kate secretly spurs Merton to seduce and marry Milly in order to inherit her wealth. But when Milly discovers their scheme, Kate and Merton learn that deceit can have unforeseen consequences....

"

First line

HASH(0x11097540)

First Edition Identification

New York City-based Charles Scribner’s Sons first published The Wings of the Dove in two volumes on 21 August 1902. Bound in brown leather, first editions have no additional printings listed on the copyright page. Volume one has 329 pages; volume two, 439.

Details

  • Title Wings of the Dove
  • Author Henry James; Introduction by Brenda Wineapple
  • Binding Mass Market Paperbound
  • Edition 100th
  • Pages 512
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Signet Book, New York, New York, U.S.A.
  • Date April 1, 1999
  • ISBN 9780451527288 / 0451527283
  • Weight 0.5 lbs (0.23 kg)
  • Dimensions 6.77 x 4.23 x 1.13 in (17.20 x 10.74 x 2.87 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Reading level 1190
  • Library of Congress subjects London (England), Psychological fiction
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC
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The Wings Of The Dove: 100th Anniversary Edition

The Wings Of The Dove: 100th Anniversary Edition

by James, Henry

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The Wings of the Dove (Signet Classics)
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The Wings of the Dove (Signet Classics)

by James, Henry

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The Wings of the Dove

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The Wings of the Dove

The Wings of the Dove

by Henry James

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The Wings of the Dove (Signet Classics)
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The Wings of the Dove (Signet Classics)

by James, Henry

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The Wings of the Dove
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by James, Henry

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by Henry James; Introduction-Brenda Wineapple

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The Wings Of The Dove : 100th Anniversary Edition
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The Wings Of The Dove : 100th Anniversary Edition

by James, Henry

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The Wings of the Dove (Signet Classics)
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The Wings of the Dove (Signet Classics)

by James, Henry; Wineapple, Brenda [Introduction]

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