Daisy Miller (trad. Lázaro Ros)
Henry James
Publicado: 1878 | 64 páginas
Relato Drama

En Daisy Miller de nuevo nos hallamos ante uno de los temas recurrentes en la obra de Henry James: el contraste entre dos modos de vida, entre la sociedad europea y la sociedad americana, ambas entrañablemente queridas por el autor y ambas minuciosamente analizadas a lo largo de su obra.Pero si en esta breve novela, publicada por primera vez en 1878, nos encontramos ante la crónica de unas páginas de la historia de finales del siglo pasado, no es menos cierto que Henry James nos ofrece a su vez una historia de siempre y para siempre: el retrato de una mujer, una muchacha espontánea y natural, poco importa si norteamericana o europea, que defiende su libertad a pesar de la incomprensión, la crítica e incluso el desprecio que despierta su comportamiento desinhibido entre quienes la rodean.Daisy Miller, sin embargo, segura de sí misma, permanece fiel a sus ideas.

This novella reads like a serial which it originally was. There is a Dickensian character display which was entertaining and sets the stage for the surprise ending. James works some interesting narrative techniques into the story. Such as having an omniscient narrator for the “study” or tale but also inserting into characters themselves the passive appraisal of other characters. For example: “Giovanelli, from the first, had treated Winterbourne with distinguished politeness. He listened with a deferential air to his remarks; he laughed punctiliously at his pleasantries; he seemed disposed to testify to his belief that Winterbourne was a superior young man.”
Overall, I liked the work. This is the first thing I’ve ever read even though James’ literary reputation is still of considerably high ranking. Now in 2023, his suspense work is what keeps him in the public’s attention. Because I studied philosophy, I know of him through his brother William James who went on head the first American movement called Pragmatism. Pragmatism is a catchall phrase that uses ideas from any source and utilizes them for any moral or scientific developmental advance. Both William and Henry went to Harvard. William James studied medicine and Henry studied law.
Although James sets up dichotomies in this predictable tale, the narrative is fleshed out in favor of Miss Daisy Miller who is a realistic portrayal American attitudes. She is from Schenectady, NY of wealthy parents whose mother is vacationing with her in Geneva (Protestant) and Rome (Catholic). The novella is more thought provoking than awe inspiring as a written document. In comparison to the later production of Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, Daisy Miller isn’t as dark or violent however it is equally as sad as Marlow's return to London. ( )

A minor early Henry James but apparently a must-read for fans. Now that I've read it I can see why. ( )

This novella packs a huge punch for it's eighty pages!
Daisy Miller is a rebel. She does what she wants when she wants with whomever she wants. Winterbourne (how's that for a first name?!), part of 'the upper crust' is fascinated with her & to the horror of his relatives follows her across Europe. Alas though, in the end, Daisy Miller is a danger to herself.
I really enjoyed this book. It was an interesting study on the manners of The New World vs the old. At the start of the book I thought she & her brother were a pair of spoilt brats that totally took advantage of their sick Mother's unwillingness to create friction (& they were in the eyes of society). But at the same time, when you think about the social restrictions put on young ladies in that era, it's sort of understandable. Makes you wonder what inspired Henry James to write this. In a way though I disagree a bit on her being labelled common & 'uncultivated' (?!) as towards the end of the novel it turns out she was a bit uninformed of the customs. Granted she didn't care but still!
I really enjoyed the richness of the language of this story. Modern language doesn't have the same richness to it.
Ultimately, this story is about a young woman determined to live life by her own rules & not the rules & expectations forced on young ladies at the time.

In fairness this is my first work by Henry James, hence given his literary acclaim perhaps he is an acquired taste.

I found this novella surprisingly readable given its age. Unfortunately, the storyline was simplistic, with very shallow characters and a lack of any depth overall. None of the characters were interesting or particularly likable (or dislikable for that matter). As a result, the ending which I assume is meant to strike the reader as profound left me feeling completely unmoved.

Presumably James’ other works are higher quality. ( )