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Cover of The Wings of the Dove
Literary Fiction· United States

The Wings of the Dove

by Henry James
Aggregate Editorial Score41/100
Guardian 100 Best Novels
Published 1902511 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Few works of literary fiction have earned the sustained critical attention that The Wings of the Dove (1902) by Henry James continues to receive. Milly Theale, a wealthy, dying American woman, is befriended by Kate Croy and Merton Densher, who plot to use her to secure their future. James's late masterpiece is written in his most difficult 'major phase' style—oblique, morally dense, and utterly ruthless in its psychological precision. Themes of death, love, money run through the work. The book has received recognition from Guardian 100 Best Novels 1902.

Book Details

AuthorHenry James
Published1902
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages511
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780140432534
Editorial Score41/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from United States →

Editorial Assessment

The Wings of the Dove by Henry James sits within the tradition of literary fiction that treats language as seriously as plot. Published in 1902 in United States, it engages with death, love, money, moral corruption in ways that have earned it lasting critical attention. Critics and institutions have consistently placed The Wings of the Dove among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Guardian 100 Best Novels 1902. Our aggregate score of 41/100 is compiled from 1 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. Readers coming to The Wings of the Dove for the first time will find a work that rewards patience. The book's handling of death, love, money, moral corruption is layered rather than didactic, and a second reading often reveals dimensions the first pass only hinted at. The Wings of the Dove reflects Henry James's place in a wider literary tradition. The book's concerns resonate with United States's broader cultural preoccupations, even as they reach beyond any single national context.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Guardian 100 Best Novels
list · global
190221
✍️
About the Author
Henry James
United States
View Author →

Henry James is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Wings of the Dove about?

Milly Theale, a wealthy, dying American woman, is befriended by Kate Croy and Merton Densher, who plot to use her to secure their future. James's late masterpiece is written in his most difficult 'major phase' style—oblique, morally dense, and utterly ruthless in its psychological precision.

Who wrote The Wings of the Dove?

The Wings of the Dove was written by Henry James, from United States. First published in 1902.

What awards has The Wings of the Dove won?

The Wings of the Dove has received the following awards and honours: Guardian 100 Best Novels 1902.

Is The Wings of the Dove worth reading?

The Wings of the Dove is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 21/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in death, love, money.

Where can I buy The Wings of the Dove?

You can buy The Wings of the Dove on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Wings of the Dove?

The Wings of the Dove is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Wings of the Dove from?

The Wings of the Dove originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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