# The Bostonians

Canonical: https://www.bookquiver.com/henry-james/the-bostonians/9780140437669

![The Bostonians](https://quivercdn.com/covers/penguin-classics/henry-james/the-bostonians_978-01-4043-766-9.jpg?v=2026-04-23%2004%3A18%3A07)

- Book: [The Bostonians](https://www.bookquiver.com/henry-james/the-bostonians) ([The Bostonians.md](https://www.bookquiver.com/henry-james/the-bostonians.md))
- Authors: [Henry James](https://www.bookquiver.com/henry-james)
- Publisher: penguin_classics
- ISBN: 978-01-4043-766-9
- Pages: 448
- Published: 2003-12-04
- Language: en_GB
- Binding: Softcover

## Description

Published in 1886, The Bostonians begins with the arrival in Boston of Basil Ransom, a young Mississippi lawyer in search of a career. Through his cousin, Olive Chancellor, Ransom comes to meet Verena, the beautiful daughter of a charlatan faith-healer and showman. When they hear Verena talk, Olive hopes to win the girl over to the feminist cause, Ransom is attracted to her looks, and a battle for possession of the girl begins. With its discussion of the situation of women and its uncompromising depiction of the city and the media, THE BOSTONIANS is a modern novel which is immediately accessible and relevant today.