The American

The city feels like a character itself, full of contrasts and secrets. I wonder if the setting was chosen to reflect the protagonist's internal conflicts or something else.

His struggles to find belonging across cultures felt very modern, even though the story is set in the 19th century. Am I the only one who saw that connection?

James spent time in Europe, and the cultural observations seem very nuanced. I’m curious about what aspects of his life shaped the portrayal of the cross-cultural tensions.