Daisy Miller and Washington Square (Barnes & Noble Classics Series)

Henry James, of course, requires no introduction unless we are discussing a way to introduce him as a new-to-you author. Readers who are unfamiliar with his other work will find these two novellas both accessible and modern in their thinking. The characters are such that they fairly transcend time and it my belief that young adult readers would even find them approachable as contemporaries. The introduction by Jennie A. Kassanoff offers a brief yet vivid portrait of James and the times surrounding the original publication. Even if one is familiar with James but has not yet had the opportunity to access these two novellas, this edition should prove to be a useful way to acquaint oneself.