The plot of "Washington Square" has been derived from a true story which was told to Henry James by his close friend, British actress Fanny Kemble.Washington Square is often compared to the writings of Jane Austen. There is highly significant clarity and grace in the writing of prose. The book very intensively focuses upon family relationships.Though Henry James was not a great admirer of Jane Austen, he did not react to the assessment of the critics. Actually, Henry James himself did not like his own book "Washington Square" very much.He had been invited to read the book over for its inclusion in the New York Edition of his fiction but he could not read it and consequently the novel was not included.For all that, the book is very popular among the readers and it has been able to retain its popularity even today.