The Wings of the Dove

Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century London, the narrative revolves around Milly Theale, a wealthy American heiress concealing her illness. As she navigates her feelings for Merton, who is secretly engaged to Kate, a web of deception unfolds. Driven by desperation, Kate devises a plan to have Merton marry Milly for her fortune, allowing them to pursue their own happiness. This poignant exploration of greed and the human experience offers a semi-biographical glimpse into Henry James's life, making it a compelling classic in American literature.