For the first time, Russian-speaking readers have had the opportunity to get acquainted with a translation of Henry James’s novel “The Wings of the Dove,” prepared using the most complete academic edition. The text is supplemented with the author’s preface to the 1909 edition, excerpts from James’s notebooks and letters.
England, the beginning of the 20th century. A young aristocratic woman, Kate Croy, who is not wealthy and lives on her aunt’s support, wants—against her will—to marry the poor journalist Merton. One day Kate notices that her acquaintance is the American millionaire Milly, who hides her incurable illness poorly, and that she is also seriously interested in Merton. Kate makes a “unreasonable” move—she draws Milly and her fiancé closer together. The climax of the love triangle becomes a trip to Venice, during which Kate leaves Milly and Merton alone.
In 1997, a film adaptation of the same name was released starring Ian Softley. It received four Oscar nominations and two awards from the British Film Academy. Helena Bonham Carter, Linus Roach, Alex Jennings, and Charlotte Rampling appeared in the film.