The Official Library of JP Brown

Author: James, Henry

Description:
Set in Boston of the end of nineteenth century, after the Civil War, the book tells the story of Verena Tarrant, a fresh, innocent young woman of extraordinary oratory talent. She is a daughter of a “mesmeric healer”, who trains her for performance. Verena can captivate the audience with her speeches, not necessarily because of their content, but because of her beauty and appeal. During one of the early private shows, she gets the attention of Olive Chancellor, a slightly older woman devoted to the cause of feminism. She befriends Verena, takes her under her wing (paying her parents considerable sums of money) and trains her to give lectures about suffrage and the freedom of women, hoping to live with Verena continuously, forming what was then called a “Boston marriage” (James’ sister formed such union with another woman).

LOCATION: BIN W