"The Europeans" is a novel by
Henry James published in 1878.
The novel is all about
relationships, in particular, marriages.
The Europeans, Felix Young and his sister Eugenia, go to Massachusetts to visit the Wentworths, their relatives. Felix is an artist. Eugenia is a wife of a German nobleman who is about to renounce her.
In Massachusetts, the elder Wentworth is aware of the strong influence that his European cousins will exert on his family, he nevertheless welcomes them and accommodates them in a nearby house.
Soon enough the
relationships between the cousins take a great spin and become friendly, actually more than friendly. Gertrude, Wentworth's daughter, falls in love with Felix, and he reciprocates her love. Wentworth's son Clifford becomes infatuated with Eugenia, who is in truth for a wealthy husband. She encourages his attentions.
A complication arises in Gertrude's relationship with Felix since she is already spoken of to Mr. Brand, the minister of the Unitarian church. Gertrude does not really care for Mr. Brand, but it's her sister Charlotte who does.
Robert and Lizzie Acton enter the plot to complicate matters. Robert is drawn to Eugenia, and Lizzie is attractive to Clifford Wentworth and hopes for a relationship.
In the end, all's well that ends well except for Acton and Eugenia. He can't seem to overcome the past of Eugenia although he is attracted to her. Mr. Wentworth finally agrees to the marriage of Felix and Gertrude. Clifford overcomes his infatuation for Eugenia and marries Lizzie Acton. The minister, Mr. Brand, realizes it's Charlotte he really loves and he marries her.