'Java Head' Summary

The novel follows the lives of the the American merchant family, the Corseys, in Salem, Massachusetts. At the heart of the story is the alluring Mrs. Taou She, an exotic Manchu woman, who arrives in Salem following her husband's death. Her presence initiates a series of events that upend the lives of the Corseys, particularly the handsome and adventurous captain and his sister. The novel unravels a tale of love, betrayal, and the dangerous allure of the East. The exotic setting, the opium trade, and the cultural clash between East and West provide a rich and intriguing background for a story that explores the boundaries of love, honor, and social convention.