Henry James è stato un autore nato in America, diventato una figura di spicco della scuola realista della narrativa. Ha ritratto magistralmente lo scontro tra le società americana ed europea, concentrando le sue narrazioni sulle relazioni personali, la complessità del potere e profonde questioni morali. James ha aperto la strada a tecniche narrative innovative, come l'uso delle prospettive dei personaggi e del monologo interiore, per approfondire la coscienza e la percezione, anticipando gli approcci letterari modernisti. Sostenne che gli scrittori dovessero avere la massima libertà nel rappresentare i loro mondi, influenzando la traiettoria della letteratura moderna.
Milly Theale scopre di essere stata ingannata nel suo amore per lo squattrinato giornalista Merton Densher. La messinscena è stata ordita da Kate Croy, con cui Densher è segretamente fidanzato. La trama melodrammatica nasconde un romanzo complesso, la cui vera protagonista appare Kate Croy, che cerca di sfuggire alla miseria e al filisteismo del proprio ambiente.
Il dramma del destino umano, catturato con straordinaria sensibilità, è il romanzo più leggibile dell'autore. Catherine Sloper, ventitreenne figlia di un noto medico newyorkese, è considerata pronta per il matrimonio secondo la morale del "grande periodo d'oro". Ma è davvero pronta per una vita di coppia? Quando incontra il simpatico Morris Townsend a una festa, si lascia affascinare da lui. Tuttavia, suo padre non approva la loro relazione, convinto che il giovane sia interessato solo ai soldi, incoraggiato dalla zia di Catherine. La avverte che sarà diseredata se decidesse di sposarlo di nascosto. Catherine, timida ma determinata, si trova a combattere un conflitto interiore tra fedeltà e amore appena risvegliato, cercando di soffocare i suoi sentimenti nella speranza che il conflitto si risolva.
Henry James trasforma la ballata degli amori frustrati in un gioiello letterario, elegante come la piazza di Manhattan, dove si svolge la storia. I quattro protagonisti, analizzati attraverso la tecnica del flusso di coscienza, rivelano la maestria dell'autore. La sua visione penetrante svela la superficialità delle loro motivazioni e le illusioni alimentate dall'autoinganno, che possono essere affrontate solo con uno sforzo per raggiungere un equilibrio vitale. La prosa delicata di James offre un'impressionante riflessione sullo stato dell'anima, senza precedenti nella letteratura americana.
Sylvia è una ragazza dal carattere inquieto, vittima consapevole dell'alternarsi dei suoi buoni e cattivi umori, che cerca di sviluppare una personalità alternativa ai canoni tradizionali. Ma l'amore e il successivo matrimonio glielo impediscono. Nel matrimonio, in cui l'eroina dei romanzi ottocenteschi trova la sua forza, Sylvia trova invece il suo indebolimento e annullamento progressivo. Il libro preannuncia i temi cari all'autrice di Piccole donne (la crescita, l'educazione, i rapporti con i familiari, l'amore) per trattarli però in modo conflittuale e non consolatorio come avviene nella successiva serie per ragazzi. Con una nota di Henry James.
Pubblicato nel 1878, Gli europei ha per protagonisti i fratelli Eugenia e Felix Young che, cresciuti tra Francia, Italia, Spagna e Germania, si trasferiscono a Boston, presso dei lontani parenti, in cerca di un facoltoso marito per Eugenia. Le reazioni dei due fratelli di fronte all'America e ai costumi dei loro cugini, appartenenti a una comunità puritana, sono molto diverse e decideranno dei loro differenti destini. Commedia brillante e sofisticata, "Gli europei" mette in luce le diversità di valori e comportamenti tra gli appartenenti al Vecchio e al Nuovo mondo. Ma soprattutto fornisce, in un rapido giro di pagine, un esempio della nascente maestria narrativa dell'autore, che da poco aveva scelto Londra come sua residenza e stava prendendo coscienza della necessità di porre al centro della sua riflessione proprio le radici americane dalle quali si era fisicamente allontanato. Il romanzo offre così, in uno stile ironico ed elegante, anche il ritratto del giovane James colto in un momento particolarmente complesso e significativo della sua vita di uomo e di scrittore.
"Le bostoniane, ambientato in una America dove la ferita della Guerra Civile non si è mai del tutto rimarginata ed è la causa delle tensioni della società americana, narra la storia del rapporto che si stabilisce tra la bella Verena Tarrant e il giovane avvocato Basil Ransom, e più ancora, tra Verena e Olive Chancellor, una femminista nemica irriducibile degli uomini, in un triangolo erotico che è il centro del romanzo. Il rapporto tra le due ragazze si tinge dell'ambiguità in cui è immersa Olive, la più tragica e più moderna delle molte eroine di James, che farà di tutto, ma invano, per impedire l'unione di Verena con Basil, e finirà per rimanere sola, in una condizione di diversità che non potrà neanche confessare. L'America delle ""Bostoniane"" è realistica e simbolica nelle sue contraddizioni e nei suoi valori, e le sue eroine sono le vittime della propria innocenza in una società materialistica dove conta solo il denaro. Scrive Agostino Lombardo nella sua bella introduzione: ""'Le bostoniane' possiede la crudele, paurosa bellezza della verità""."
Protagonisti di "Giro di vite", forse il più celebre tra i romanzi brevi di Henry James, sono Flora e Miles, due bambini perseguitati dai fantasmi di un'istitutrice e di un maggiordomo, e intrappolati in quella che Fausta Cialente nella nota al testo definisce una "tirannica atmosfera". Ai classici motivi del racconto nero, "gotico", James unisce una sottile indagine psicologica, consegnando al lettore uno dei più suggestivi racconti del mistero, sempre al confine tra realtà e sovrannaturale.
Syuzhet "Zverya v chasche" predstavlyaet soboj ironicheskoe pereosmyslenie kak "goticheskoj" prozy, tak i priklyuchencheskoj literatury. Na meste traditsionnogo privideniya ili ekzoticheskogo zverya v rasskaze Dzhejmsa okazyvaetsya fantom soznaniya. Dzhona Marchera, kak emu kazhetsya, podzhidaet nekij Zver' - simvolicheskoe chudovische, gotovyascheesya k sokrushitel'nomu pryzhku iz dzhunglej...
(Book Jacket Status: Not Jacketed) Contents of Volume 1 A Landscape-PainterA Light ManA Passionate PilgrimThe Madonna of the FutureMadame de MauvesBenvolioDaisy Miller: A StudyAn International EpisodeThe Pension BeaurepasThe Point of ViewThe Siege of LondonLady BarberinaThe Author of "Beltraffio"Louisa PallantThe Aspern PapersThe LiarThe Lesson of the MasterThe PatagoniaThe PupilThe MarriagesThe ChaperonSir Edmund Orme
Henry James, a pivotal figure in late 19th-century literature, was known for his unique narrative style, often employing a character's perspective to convey stories, akin to impressionist painting. Born in the U.S. to a clergyman and brother of philosopher William James, he spent most of his life in England, becoming a British citizen in 1915. His literary criticism emphasized the importance of creative freedom for writers, reflecting his belief in diverse interpretations of the world. His familial connections also included his sister, Alice, a fellow writer.
Are there ghosts at Bly, or is the governess going mad? A young woman starts her first job as a governess in charge of two young orphans, Miles and Flora, at a country house called Bly. The children are beautiful and well-behaved, but are they too good to be true? When the governess starts to experience strange visions, she suspects that the children are hiding a terrible secret. Sú tu v Bly duchovia, alebo sa opatrovateľka zbláznila? Mladá žena nastúpila prvýkrát do práce ako opatrovateľka, ktorá má na starosti dve malé siroty, Milesa a Floru, žijúce vo vidieckom dome zvanom Bly. Deti sú úžasné a vychované, ale nie je to príliš dobré, aby to bola pravda? Keď začne opatrovateľka vidieť zvláštne veci, začne tušiť, že deti majú desivé tajomstvo.
Henry James, an influential Anglo-American novelist of the late 19th century, explored character perspectives in his works, likening his style to impressionist painting. Born into a literary family, he was the son of a clergyman and brother to philosopher William James. Although he spent his early years in the United States, he became a British citizen in 1915. James championed the idea that writers should enjoy the utmost freedom in their artistic expression, a principle reflected in both his novels and literary criticism.
"For other novelists the value of Henry James's Notebooks is immense and to brood over them a major experience. The glow of the great impresario is on the pages. They are occasionally readable and endlessly stimulating, often moving and are ocasionally relieved by a drop of gossip."—V. S. Pritchett, New Statesman "The Notebooks take us into his study, and here we can observe him, at last, in the very act of creation at his writing table."—Leon Edel, Atlantic Monthly "A document of prime importance."—Edmund Wilson, New Yorker
Originally published over a century ago, this classical work has been deemed significant throughout history. Alpha Editions has undertaken the task of preserving it for future generations by republishing it in a modern format. The book has been meticulously reformatted, retyped, and designed to ensure clarity and readability, avoiding the use of scanned copies.
This classic collection includes the British author's most influential works, from The Portrait of a Lady to the Aspern Papers. Part of a beautiful series of classic fiction, this title brings Henry James back to life and reminds the world just what a wonderful writer he was.
With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction. The Wings of the Dove, a Level 5 Reader, is B1 in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing present perfect continuous, past perfect, reported speech and second conditional. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly. Kate and Densher are in love and want to get married. Densher is a poor journalist, and Kate's aunt tells her that she must marry someone rich. But Kate has a plan. She decides to deceive Milly, a sweet young heiress who is very ill. She wants Milly to marry Densher so he can get her money after she dies. Will Kate's plan succeed?
Exploring the craft of writing, this collection features Henry James's insightful essays, including the renowned "The Art of Fiction." Delving into the works of literary giants like George Eliot, Ivan Turgenev, and Honoré de Balzac, James's writings are characterized by their wit, erudition, and fervor. This selection offers a rich experience for anyone who appreciates the intricacies of literature and the art of storytelling.
The book is a reproduction of a historical work, presented in large print to enhance accessibility for readers with impaired vision. Published by Megali, a house dedicated to making historical texts more readable, this edition aims to preserve the original while catering to the needs of those who may struggle with standard print sizes.
Hyacinth Robinson, a talented bookbinder, becomes entwined in radical politics after meeting revolutionary Paul Muniment and the enchanting Princess Casamassima. As he grapples with his commitment to a terrorist assassination, he finds himself torn between love and ideology.
Travelling in Europe with her family, Daisy Miller, an exquisitely beautiful young American woman, presents her fellow-countryman Winterbourne with a dilemma he cannot resolve. Is she deliberately flouting social convention in the outspoken way she talks and acts, or is she simply ignorant of those conventions? When she strikes up an intimate friendship with an urbane young Italian, her flat refusal to observe the codes of respectable behaviour leave her perilously exposed. In Daisy Miller James created his first great portrait of the enigmatic and dangerously independent American woman, a figure who would come to dominate his later masterpieces.
Romantic entanglements unfold throughout the narrative, showcasing a range of relationships and emotional complexities. As the characters navigate their connections, the story builds towards a nuanced yet satisfying conclusion, reflecting the intricacies of love and confidence in human interactions. Henry James weaves a tale that balances realism with the charm of romance, making for an engaging read.
Henry James was not only a novelist who wrote with the elegance of Marcel Proust, he was also a renowned travel writer and wrote prolifically for a dedicated following in American magazines, newspapers and journals. In this volume his best work on Italy, Britain, and the US was collected for a wider audience.
A gripping prequel to R. D. Wingfield's A TOUCH OF FROST, perfect for fans of David Jason's Jack Frost and readers who love Stuart MacBride, Peter James and Lynda La Plante. November 1982. Itâe(tm)s been one of the worst days of DS Jack Frostâe(tm)s life. He has buried his wife Mary, and must now endure the wake, attended by all of Dentonâe(tm)s finest. All, that is, apart from DC Sue Clarke, who has been summoned to the discovery of a human foot in a farmerâe(tm)s field. And things get worse. Local entrepreneur Harry Baskin is shot inside his club and a valuable painting goes missing. As the week goes on, a cyclist is found dead in suspicious circumstances. Frost is on the case, but another disaster âe" one he is entirely unprepared for âe" is about to strikeâe¦
Henry James, an influential Anglo-American novelist, was a key literary figure of the late 19th century. Born to a clergyman, he was part of a notable intellectual family, including his brother William, a psychologist, and sister Alice, a writer. Although he spent his early years in the U.S., he later became a British citizen. James's narrative style often reflects a character's perspective, drawing comparisons to impressionist art. He advocated for creative freedom in literature, emphasizing the importance of individual viewpoints in storytelling.
With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction. Washington Square, a Level 4 Reader, is A2+ in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to three clauses, introducing more complex uses of present perfect simple, passives, phrasal verbs and simple relative clauses. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly. Catherine Sloper is not pretty or clever, but she is rich. She lives in New York with her father, the respected doctor, Austin Sloper. One day, Catherine meets a charming man called Maurice Townsend, who wants to marry her. But does Maurice really love Catherine, or does he just want her money? Doctor Sloper is sure that he knows the answer.
An American heiress newly arrived in Europe, Isabel Archer does not look to a man to furnish her with her destiny; instead she desires, with grace and courage, to find it herself. Two eligible suitors approach her and are refused. She then becomes utterly captivated by the languid charms of Gilbert Osmond. To him, she represents a superior prize worth at least seventy thousand pounds; through him, she faces a tragic choice.
An original novel in which Henry James, Edith Wharton, Sigmund Freud, and Carl Jung meet in a plot of sex, love, murder, and memory. Only erudite inspector Maurice Le Blanc is able to cope with the literary and psychological geniuses who are involved in this murder case.
Wingfield's A TOUCH OF FROST, for anyone who loved watching David Jason as
Jack Frost, and readers of sharply plotted detective crime novels. Denton is
preparing for a wedding, with less than a week to go until Detective Sergeant
Waters marries Kim Myles.
Critical essays and excerpts from James' notebooks, letters, and prefaces accompany nine stories that deal with ghosts, tyranny, the impact of Europe on Americans, and social manipulation
Eugenia, Baroness Munster, wife of a German princeling who wishes to be rid of her, crosses the ocean with her brother Felix to seek out their American relatives. Their voyage is prompted - so Eugenia says - by natural affection; but the Baroness has also come to seek her fortune. The advent of these visitors is viewed by the Wentworths, in the suburbs of Boston, with wonder and some apprehension. Of these, not the least alarming is the fascination exerted by the brilliant Eugenia on her impressionable cousins and their more wordly neighbor, Robert Acton. Can her restless spirit, which might find a safe haven in the New Englander's solid wealth, anchor itself to their solid principles? Or, as the Baroness phrases the question, who are these people, to whom fibbing is not pleasing? While Eugenia seems set permanently to unsetle them all, Felix, painter of trifling sketches, would diffuse among his hosts a healing charm, easing them in and out of various amorous complications, he has, as one might say of the novel itself, 'no fear of not being, in the end, agreeable.' The text of this World's Classics paperback is based on the first English edition (1878).
Henry James was arguably the greatest practitioner of what has been called the psychological ghost story. This edition includes all ten of his tales in this genre.
Denton, 1981. Britain is in recession, the IRA is becoming increasingly active and the country's on alert for an outbreak of rabies. Detective Sergeant Jack Frost is working under his mentor and inspiration DI Bert Williams, and coping badly with his increasingly strained marriage. Probably not helped by the fact that he never goes home...
Cultural distinctions and social misunderstandings drive the narrative, as two British gentlemen meet American women, leading to comedic interactions that reveal the contrasts between hospitality and aloofness across the Atlantic. The story features characters like Willy Woodley and Mr. Westgate, who serve as mere plot devices rather than fully developed figures, resulting in a narrative that lacks cohesion and thematic depth. James skillfully explores the complexities of love and nostalgia within a bi-national context, highlighting the comedic elements of manners and faux pas.
Nanda Brookenham is 'coming out' in London society. Thrust suddenly into the vicious, immoral circle that has gathered round her mother, she even finds herself in competition with Mrs Brookenham for the affection of the man she admires. Light and ironic in its touch, The Awkward Age nevertheless analyzes the English character with great subtlety. The Awkward Age, which has been much praised for its natural dialogue and the delicacy of feeling it conveys, exemplifies Conrad's remark that James 'is never in deep gloom or in violent sunshine. But he feels deeply and vividly every delicate shade.'
This light-hearted masterpiece tells of the influence Eugenia and her brother Felix exert on their Bostonian cousins when they visit the New World. In the hope of making a wealthy marriage, Eugenia, the Baroness Münster, and her younger brother, the artist Felix, descend on the Wentworths, in Boston. Installed in a nearby house, they become close friends with the younger Wentworths - Gertrude, Charlotte and Clifford. Eugenia's wit, guile and sophistication, and Felix's debonair vivacity from an uneasy alliance with the Puritan morality and the frugal, domestic virtues of the Americans. A rich and delicately balanced comedy of manners, The Europeans weighs the values of the established order against those of New England society, but makes no simple judgements, only subtle contrasts and beautifully observed comparisons. Librarian note: alternative cover edition - ISBN 0140621954
Henry James, an influential Anglo-American novelist of the late 19th century, was noted for his unique narrative style, often presenting stories from a character's perspective, akin to impressionist art. Born into a literary family, he spent his formative years in the U.S. before settling in England, where he became a British citizen in 1915. His literary criticism emphasized the importance of creative freedom for writers, reflecting his belief in diverse interpretations of the world. His connections to notable figures, including his brother William, further highlight his literary significance.
Focusing on Nathaniel Hawthorne's literary contributions, Henry James offers an in-depth analysis of Hawthorne's novels and selected short stories, alongside insights into his life and nonfiction work. The book sparked controversy, particularly for James's critique of American life, where he identifies elements he believes are lacking in its novelistic landscape. This critical examination not only highlights Hawthorne's significance but also reflects on the broader context of American literature during that era.
In The turn of the Screw, the story unfolds with the arrival of a new governess at a remote country estate. She has been hired by the uncle of two young orphans to take complete charge of the children's lives and upbringing. Her first peaceful weeks are disturbed by the apparition of the ghosts of two evil servants who once served in the house. In Daisy Miller, a young American traveling abroad for the first time, openly ignores the rigid European social code of the day and earns the disapproval of her fellow Americans.
A collection of essays on travels in Italy. It explores art and religion,
political shifts and cultural revolutions, and the nature of travel itself. It
covers the aesthetic allure of Venice, the vitality of Rome, and the noisy,
sensuous appeal of Naples.
Preparing to marry, Owen Gereth asks his widowed mother to move out of the family manse, leaving its glorious objects to him and his bride. Mrs Gereth disapproves of her would-be daughter-in-law and enlists a young friend named Fleda Vetch to save the collectibles and her son.
An American editor with an enthusiasm for the works of Jeffrey Aspern, a romantic poet of the early 19th century, goes to Venice to acquire the letters that Aspern wrote to his mistress, a Miss Bordereau, whom he called "Juliana." Under an assumed name he rents a suite in the ancient palace where she lives in poverty and seclusion with her niece, Miss Tina. He finds that the old lady is shrewd and haughty and accepts him as a lodger only to put aside money for the future of Miss Tina, a timid, unattractive spinster much in awe of her aunt. During his residence with them, the editor wins the friendship of Miss Tina, to whom he reveals his mission. Leaving Venice for a fortnight, he returns to find that Miss Bordereau has died. Miss Tina, who is clearly in love, welcomes him expectantly, but confesses that she could only give him the papers if he were "a relative."In addition to "The Aspern Papers," this collection contains "The Private Life," "The Middle Years," and "The Death of the Lion," as well as prefaces by Henry James, a chronology of his life, and editor's notes.
The novella explores the complex relationship between a young writer, Paul Overt, and his idol, the renowned novelist Henry St. George. As Overt seeks guidance from St. George, themes of ambition, mentorship, and the struggles of artistic integrity emerge. The narrative delves into the challenges of balancing personal aspirations with the expectations of the literary world, ultimately revealing the nuanced dynamics between teacher and student in the pursuit of creative fulfillment.
Exploring the contrast between a sheltered scholar and a streetwise pragmatist, the narrative delves into philosophical themes through rich character profiles. Set against the backdrop of Homburg before gambling was banned, the story captures a vibrant scene where an orchestra plays, evoking memories and reflections. Written in chapters, this work showcases Henry James' ability to weave complex ideas into engaging storytelling, similar to his other renowned novels. The atmosphere of the Kursaal terrace enhances the exploration of human experiences and connections.
Tutto in Madame Bovary (1857) sembra disporre la scena dove il desiderio ha luogo insieme all'abisso che lo cancella. Emma Bovary ama come si divora, ama in una tragica voracità che somiglia a quella di un organismo incapace di assimilare, consuma se stessa e l'oggetto del suo desiderio in un tragico processo di alienazione amorosa, aiutata anche dal marito, Charles, che è tutt'altro che un uomo tranquillo e innocuo, ma un masochista morale di alto lignaggio che, con un sadismo perfettamente camuffato, contribuisce in maniera determinante al suicidio della moglie.
Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary. Visit the Penguin Readers website Exclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys. A young woman accepts her first job as a governess and goes to Bly, a large country house in England. There she teaches a young brother and sister. But the governess soon starts to see ghosts and tries to protect the children from them.
'A fast-moving thriller. I was totally absorbed by it' ELLY GRIFFITHS 'Vivid and compelling, with great evocation of the 1980s period' PETER JAMES 'A masterclass in place and landscape' CHRISTIE WATSON PERFECT FOR FANS OF PETER JAMES AND STUART MACBRIDE. January 1983, Blackwater Estuary A new year brings a new danger to the Essex shoreline. An illicit shipment, bound for Colchester - 100 kilograms of powder that will frantically accelerate tensions in the historic town, and leave its own murderous trace. Detective Inspector Nick Lowry, and his fellow officers Daniel Kenton and Jane Gabriel must now develop a tolerance to one another, and show their own substance, to save Britain's oldest settlement from a new, unsettling enemy.
Set in Paris, this short novel explores the humorous fallout from scandalous truths about a local family that are exposed in an American gossip magazine. The narrative cleverly intertwines themes of reputation and societal perception, showcasing Henry James's wit and keen observations of both American and European cultures. As the characters navigate the ensuing chaos, the story unfolds with a lighthearted tone, reflecting the complexities of social dynamics in a vibrant city.
On the occasion of the centenary of the Master's death, a new collection of
the acclaimed novelist's travel writing, taking readers from the American
towns of upstate New York to villages in rural Tuscany.
Regarded by many as James's greatest achievement in short fiction, "The Beast in the Jungle" is a portrait of a man alienated from life and love with a secret neither he nor James can talk about. "The Jolly Corner" and "The Altar of the Dead" are two tales that explore the complex interlacings of loss, love and the ever-present past in the lives of their protagonists.
In this classic collision of the New World with Old Europe, James weaves a fable of thwarted desire that shifts between comedy, tragedy, romance, and melodrama. This revised edition features a new Introduction and Afterword by Leon Edel. Reissue.
A masterpiece by the great American realist Henry James, Daisy Miller is the story of an innocent girl's love and recognition in a society where respectable behaviour counts for everything.[Macmillan]
Daisy Miller is one of Henry James's most attractive heroines: she represents
youth and frivolity. As a tourist in Italy, her American freedom and freshness
of spirit come up against the corruption and hypocrisy of European manners.
From its first publication, readers on both sides of the Atlantic have
quarrelled about her, defending or attacking the liberties that Daisy takes
and the conventions that she ignores. All three tales in this collection,
Daisy Miller, An International Episode and Lady Barbarina, express James's
most notable subject, 'the international theme', the encounters, romantic and
cultural, between Americans and Europeans. His heroes and heroines approach
each other on unfamiliar ground with new freedoms, yet find themselves
unexpectedly hampered by old constraints. In An International Episode, an
English lord visiting Newport, Rhode Island, falls in love with an American
girl, but their relationship becomes more complicated when she travels to
London. In the light-hearted comedy Lady Barbarina, a rich young American
seeks an English aristocratic bride. The unusual outcomes of these three tales
pose a number of social questions about marriage and the traditional roles of
men and women. Is an international marriage symbolic of the highest cultural
fusion of values or is it an old style raid and capture? Is marriage to remain
the feminine destination?
This publication focuses on making historical works accessible to individuals with impaired vision through large print. Megali, the publishing house behind this initiative, is dedicated to reproducing original texts to enhance readability and preserve important literature for future generations.
This Modern Library Paperback Classics edition brings together one of literature's most famous ghost stories and one of Henry James's most unusual novellas. In The Turn of the Screw, a governess is haunted by ghosts from her young charges past; Virginia Woolf said of this masterpiece of psychological ambiguity and suggestion, We are afraid of something unnamed, of something, perhaps, in ourselves...Henry James...can still make us afraid of the dark.In his rarely anthologized novella In the Cage, James brings his incomparable powers of observation to the story of a clever, rebellious heroine of Britain's lower middle class. Hortense Calisher, in her Introduction, calls it a delicious story, the more so because it confounds what we expect from James.
What Maisie Knew (1897) represents one of James's finest reflections on the rites of passage from wonder to knowledge, and the question of their finality. The child of violently divorced parents, Maisie Farange opens her eyes on a distinctly modern world. Mothers and fathers keep changing their partners and names, while she herself becomes the pretext for all sorts of adult sexual intrigue.In this classic tale of the death of childhood, there is a savage comedy that owes much to Dickens. But for his portrayal of the child's capacity for intelligent `wonder', James summons all the subtlety he devotes elsewhere to his most celebrated adult protagonists. Neglected and exploited by everyone around her, Maisie inspires James to dwell with extraordinary acuteness on the things that may pass between adult and child. In addition to a new introduction, this edition of the novel offers particularly detailed notes, bibliography, and a list of variant readings.