The first book publication was in 1876, and a second edition was published in 1879. In 1907 James revised the book extensively for the New York Edition of his fiction. His preface to the revised version harshly criticized some aspects of the novel. James felt that the time-scheme of the book was too short and that certain plot elements strained credulity.
James brought back Christina Light as the title character of his 1886 novel The Princess Casamassima. He confessed in the preface that Christina was too fascinating a character to be dropped after only one appearance.
