The Tragic Muse, Volume 1

In this novel, James explores the tension between art and society through the lives of its characters. Nick Dormer, a young Englishman, grapples with choosing between a prestigious parliamentary career and his passion for painting, while Miriam Rooth, a fiercely dedicated actress, embodies artistic independence. Through their stories, the novel engages with ideas about the nature of art and performance, highlighting the enduring importance and challenge of taking art seriously as an end in itself.