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The Wings of the Dove
by Henry James
- Used
- very good
- Hardcover
- first
- Condition
- Very Good
- Seller
-
BATH, Somerset, United Kingdom
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Westminster: Archibald Constable and Co., 1902. First edition. Cloth. Very Good. 7.5" by 5". None. The UK first edition of Henry James' most critically lauded work. A rebound copy of the UK first edition of this Henry James novel. This edition was released nine days after the work was first published in America.This 1902 novel tells the tale of Milly Theale, an American heiress with a serious illness, and her effect on those around her. Some of her acquaintances have honourable intentions, and others plot to seize control of her wealth. Milly is based upon James' own cousin, Minny Temple, who died of tuberculosis. In his autobiography, James explains this work was created to surround her memory with the 'beauty and dignity of art'.This is perhaps James' most positively critically reviewed work, and The Modern Library ranked it 26th on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century. Rebound in cloth, without the publisher's catalogue to the rear. Some marks to boards, with discolouration to spine. Small patches of fraying to front and rear joints at head of spine. Shelf wear to spine head and tail. Internally, firmly bound. Some spotting to the first few pages, otherwise clean and bright. Very Good
Synopsis
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.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Rooke Books
(GB)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 778F19
- Title
- The Wings of the Dove
- Author
- Henry James
- Illustrator
- None
- Format/Binding
- Cloth
- Book Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First edition
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Publisher
- Archibald Constable and Co.
- Place of Publication
- Westminster
- Date Published
- 1902
- Size
- 7.5" by 5"
- Keywords
- The Turn of the Screw The Ambassadors Portrait of a Lady Literary Realism The Ambassadors
Terms of Sale
Rooke Books
Books are sent on approval and may be returned in like condition for any reason within 14 days of receipt. Responsibility of return to be with the purchaser.
About the Seller
Rooke Books
Biblio member since 2007
BATH, Somerset
About Rooke Books
Welcome to Rooke Books Antiquarian Bookseller
We are a small team dedicated to bringing you very scarce books at reasonable prices. We specialise in rare and hard to come by works on all subjects over the last 500 years, together with modern first editions and decorative sets and bindings. Our library has something for every interest and specialism. We deliver worldwide using a fully tracked and insured courier delivery service.
Where are We?
Based in the literary city of Bath, our offices are housed in the Eastern Dispensary. Built in 1845, the building originally existed as a charitable institution providing medical care. The building now houses our collection of over twenty thousand books and has five full time members of staff.
We are a small team dedicated to bringing you very scarce books at reasonable prices. We specialise in rare and hard to come by works on all subjects over the last 500 years, together with modern first editions and decorative sets and bindings. Our library has something for every interest and specialism. We deliver worldwide using a fully tracked and insured courier delivery service.
Where are We?
Based in the literary city of Bath, our offices are housed in the Eastern Dispensary. Built in 1845, the building originally existed as a charitable institution providing medical care. The building now houses our collection of over twenty thousand books and has five full time members of staff.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Shelf Wear
- Shelf wear (shelfwear) describes damage caused over time to a book by placing and removing a book from a shelf. This damage is...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- Tail
- The heel of the spine.
- Rebound
- A book in which the pages have been bound into a covering replacing the original covering issued by the publisher.
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
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