The Europeans (Audiobook)

Although Henry James was himself none too fond of 'The Europeans', the novel has nevertheless proved to be a firm favourite with readers ever since its publication in 1878. The juxtaposition of two cultures with their differing values and expectations was fertile ground for James' comic genius, and he uses the varied interplay of characters to poke fun at the social mores of the day while at the same time attempting a more serious critique of New England society.
Eugenia, an American expatriate brought up in Europe, arrives in rural New England with her charming brother Felix, hoping to find a wealthy second husband after the collapse of her marriage to a German prince. Their exotic, sophisticated airs cause quite a stir with their affluent, God-fearing American cousins, the Wentworths and provoke the disapproval of their father, suspicious of foreign influences. The arrival of the frivolous, handsome Felix is especially enchanting to Gertrude Wentworth, who is struggling against her sombre puritan upbringing. One of Henry James's most optimistic novels, The Europeans is a subtle and gently ironic examination of manners and morals, deftly portraying the impact of Old World experience on New World innocence.