Henry James (1843-1916) was an American writer who moved to England at the age thirty. These circumstances had a major effect on his literary works, and the central theme of his works was the straightforwardness and sincerity of the people of the New World who face the decadence and craftiness of the Old World. During his literary career James Henry wrote 20 novels, 112 stories and 12 plays.

The Golden Bowl is a novel by Henry James that was initially published in 1904. The story is set in England and it goes around the family of Verver. Adam Verver is a rich American man who meets his former mistress from the days of the past. At the same time a young Italian man proposes to his daughter, Maggie.