Daisy Miller: The Wild and Wanton Edition

Book excerpt: Daisy Miller will forever be a classic story of courtship. But the original novella is not a romance, per se, because the unrequited love of both of the two main characters, Daisy Miller and Frederick Winterbourne, longs for a happy and salaciously steamy conclusion. That's why modern author Gabrielle Vigot added a few key saucy scenes to enhance the relationship and sexual tension that is insinuated in Henry James's civilized original story. Daisy is a flirt and Winterbourne thinks he has her figured out. But little does he know that throughout his courtship, Daisy's attitude toward him is hardly that of the easy, swooning American girl he expected. Daisy makesWinterbourne's heart ache for her with her vampish teasing, confounds him deliciously, and infuriates him to the bitter end. Dear reader, you know you'll want to find out whether Daisy just simply loves to flirt with all of the impeccably dressed gentlemen of Rome, or whether she is partial to well-mannered but increasingly annoyed Winterbourne. Will Winterbourne's heart give up on her in the end, or will his feelings mature enough for him to claim her for himself once and for all? Daisy Miller was Henry James's most popular and controversial piece, and the original book printer sold 20,000 copies in a matter of weeks. Editor Geoffrey Moore preferred the fine writing in the original versions over thelater versions, and thus the purity of the first American version serves as the base for this Wild and Wanton edition. Sensuality Level: Sensual