The American by Henry James

I picked this book up for 25 cents at the Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Store. It was one of the best purchases I have ever made.

This is one of the rare books that I have liked from the very first chapter and enjoyed the whole way through on the first reading. One thing that surprised me about this story was that, although this book is about an American it does not take place in America, most of the story takes place in France.

It is a love story, but not one of those overly romantic love stories. It doesn't even have a typically happy ending. In fact, when I think back on it, the ending isn't happy at all, but I didn't notice so much because all the very sad parts took place well before the end of the story, so that I suppose by the time I got to the end of the story I was used to the idea of the sad things that happened. And although there was no happy ending, it was a good ending.

I highly recommend this book.