The American by Henry James
"The American" is a novel about a wealthy, self-made American businessman who travels to Europe to find a wife. Despite his wealth and good nature, he struggles to navigate the complex and often hypocritical aristocratic society. His pursuit of a beautiful, young countess is met with resistance from her family due to his lack of noble lineage. The story showcases the clash between the New World's merit-based society and the Old World's class-based society.
The 2052nd greatest book of all time
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This book is on the following lists:
- 50th on The 100 Greatest Novels (greatbooksguide.com)
- Famous Authors Name Their Favorite Novels(from 1915) (New York Times)