Washington Square is a short book by Henry James. Originally published in 1880 as a serial in Cornhill Magazine and Harper's New Monthly Magazine, it is a structurally simple tragicomedy that recounts the conflict between a dull but sweet daughter and her brilliant, unemotional father. The plot of the novel is based upon a true story told to James by his close friend, British actress Fanny Kemble. The book is often compared with Jane Austen's work for the clarity and grace of its prose and its intense focus on family relationships. James was not a great fan of Washington Square itself. He attempted to read it over for inclusion in the New York Edition of his fiction (19071909) but found that he could not, and the novel was not included. Other readers, though, have sufficiently enjoyed the book to make it one of the more popular works of the Jamesian canon.
This edition has been formatted for your reader, with an active table of contents. The work has also been annotated, with additional information about the book and Henry James' life, including an overview, plot summary, characters, structure, major themes, literary significance, adaptations, biographical and bibliographical information.