Daisy Miller brought author Henry James his first widespread success in 1879.
He called this short novel 'a study', and it was at the time completely rejected by publishers for its portrayal of a brash, uncouth young American woman - a portrait deemed unrepresentative and uncomplimentary.
He would go on to write the classics The Wings of a Dove, Washington Square, Portrait of a Lady, and The Turn of the Screw among many others.
American Mr. Winterbourne meets young Randolph at a lakeside resort outside Geneva, his sister Daisy soon follows. The Millers are Americans travelling Europe for an extended time. Though not officially introduced and without chaperone, she talks with him in full view of the guests, it's just not done. Daisy is beautiful but flighty, has no idea of local social graces, and doesn't care. Word soon spreads that she walks alone in the park with whomever she chooses, and dances with one partner all night. She's a horror. Her mother is flighty too, overly concerned with her health and controlling wild young Randolph, allowing Daisy to do what she likes. Winterbourne remains in her circle and tries through his connections with matron Mrs. Walker to introduce refinement to the Millers without success. No one is therefore surprised when tragedy befalls Daisy - why, she was out all night unescorted with the Italian lothario Giovanelli in the Coliseum.
Daisy is one of Henry James most vivid and tragic characters, setting her in the theme of American's travelling abroad, innocence versus experience, and the grip of fate. Daisy was an accurate depiction of Americans abroad at the time, and like today, to travel in another country and ignore or leave undiscovered the customs of the area invites talks among the locals or looks of derision.
This has grown on me, increasing in my estimation as time passes.
Peter Bogdanovich filmed Daisy Miller in 1974 showcasing the talents of then girlfriend Cybill Shepherd. It was a box-office mistake, and it has been called one of the worst films ever made. I like him as a director (The Last Picture Show, Paper Moon, What's Up Doc?, Mask), I like Cybill, and I am a fan of movies labelled 'Bombs', so I had to see the film after reading the book. With a script unusually faithful to the letter of the novel, and beautifully filmed, it stunk so bad I barely got through it. The lines were read rapid-fire without highs or lows and without emotion, more suited in tone to his great film What's Up Doc?, which was a slapstick comedy. Questions and statements rolled together in a blank monotone like they were just trying to get through a line reading. All the elements were there, but filmed in a tone opposite to the feel of the novel. Disappointing but not without a little merit: Bogdanovich uses many of the same cast in his films (Cybill Shepherd, Cloris Leachman, Eileen Brennan) giving Cloris a nice role as Mrs. Miller, and the great Eileen Brennan a rare dramatic role she really gets her teeth into, shining as Mrs. Walker - her presence a highlight of the film. Bogdanovich would go on to direct Cybill and Eileen in At Long Last Love, a Cole Porter musical starring Burt Reynolds where everyone did their own passable singing, and giving the great Madeline Kahn a rare role and some great songs to sing.
It was another huge box-office flop.
My other reviews of Henry James:
1879 / Tradeback / Just 80 pages
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