The Spoils of Poynton

The Spoils of Poynton is a novel by Henry James, first published in 1896 as a serial and in book form in 1897. The story follows Mrs. Adela Gereth, a cultured widow, who struggles to retain her cherished home and its exquisite collection of art when her son Owen plans to marry a woman of lesser taste. The narrative delves into themes of aesthetics, social class, and the emotional complexities of familial relationships, particularly through the perspective of Fleda Vetch, who becomes entangled in the conflict between her feelings for Owen and her loyalty to Mrs. Gereth.