Glasses

"Glasses" by Henry James is a story set in the late 1800s, picturing a young artist entangled in the social web of a coastal town, especially his connection with the stunning Flora Saunt, who seems both charming and overly focused on herself. The book starts by introducing the narrator, who thinks about the people in Folkestone, mostly Flora and her friend Mrs. Meldrum, a brave widow. The narrator watches Flora and is interested by her charm and the effects of her beauty. The characters' talks show that Flora has a difficult spot in society and that, while she is pretty, she might be unprotected and unaware of what her vanity might lead to, teasing future story developments as the narrator’s artistic interest in Flora mixes with her life's increasing issues and decisions.