Daisy Miller vs The American: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Americans in fiction, Americans, Travel, History, Fiction

Daisy Miller Henry James · 1877 ★★★☆☆ 3.4 62 pages · ≈ 1 h 09 m · Challenging

“At the little town of Vevey, in Switzerland, there is a particularly comfortable hotel.”

A beautiful American girl, Daisy Miller, is pursued by the sophisticated Winterbourne, who moves in fairly conservative circles. Their courtship is frowned upon by the other Americans they meet in Switzerland and Italy…

1 film adaptation

Young women in fiction Young women Ghost Stories Drama

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The American Henry James · 1877 ★★★★☆ 3.7 473 pages · ≈ 8 h 46 m · Challenging

“On a brilliant day in May, in the year 1868, a gentlemen was reclining at his ease on the great circular divan which at that period occupied the centre of the Salon Carre, in the Museum of the Louvre.”

A reprint of Henry James' "The America" that includes a textual history of the novel, background and source materials, and critical articles by James and others.

Culture conflict Widows in fiction Separation American Manuscripts

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Side by side

The verdict

Readers rate The American highest: The American 3.7 · Daisy Miller 3.4.
Daisy Miller is the quickest read — about 1 hours vs 8 for The American.
Daisy Miller has the widest readership — 39141 ratings behind its score.
The American runs the darker storyline; Daisy Miller stays the lighter read.

How to choose

Want a one-evening read? Daisy Miller ≈ 1h vs 8h for The American Want the crowd-tested pick? Daisy Miller 39141 ratings vs 7301 for The American Just want the better-reviewed one? The American 3.7 vs 3.4 from readers In the mood for something dark? The American a darker storyline than Daisy Miller Want something lighter? Daisy Miller an easier tone than The American

Scores by source

	Daisy Miller	The American
Goodreads	3.4 (39141)	3.7 (7301)
Hardcover	3.2 (53)	3.5 (10)
Apple Books	4.0 (242)	4.5 (87)

Reception

	Daisy Miller	The American
Ratings	39141	7301
Editions	244	126
Film adaptations	1	1
Want to read	26603	9405
Reading it now	859	656
Written reviews	3160	588
Wikipedia attention	3024	1265
Pages	62	473

Questions readers ask

Which is rated higher: Daisy Miller or The American?

The American has the higher combined reader rating across sources (The American 3.7/5, Daisy Miller 3.4/5).

Which is shorter to read: Daisy Miller or The American?

Daisy Miller is the quickest read. Estimated at 225 words per minute: Daisy Miller (62 pages, ≈ 1 h 09 m); The American (473 pages, ≈ 8 h 46 m).

Which is harder to read: Daisy Miller or The American?

Estimated difficulty, based on era, reader shelves and length — Daisy Miller: Challenging; The American: Challenging.

Have both books been made into films?

Daisy Miller: 5 film adaptations; The American: no film adaptation on record.