Selected Short Stories
Selected Short Stories by Henry James, published by Penguin in 1965, presents a collection of five notable tales that showcase the author’s literary prowess. This edition, comprising 192 pages, features stories written between 1879 and 1893, reflecting James’s exploration of the complexities of love, marriage, and the artistic life. The narratives delve into the contrasts between American and European perspectives, highlighting the author’s unique insights into societal norms and personal relationships.
Readers will encounter a range of themes in these stories, including the ironic dynamics of engagement in “Lord Beaupré,” the interplay between reality and artistic representation in “The Real Thing,” and the contemplations of an aging writer in “The Middle Years.” Additionally, “Georgina’s Reasons” offers a glimpse into the motivations behind a secret marriage, while “Sir Edmund Orme” introduces a ghostly presence that influences a young woman’s choices. This selection not only illustrates Henry James’s narrative skill but also invites reflection on the broader implications of artistic expression and human connection.
Official synopsis Publisher
The literary career of Henry James (1843–1916) ranks among the longest and most productive in American letters. The expatriate author, who ultimately adopted British citizenship, often portrayed the conflicts of American and European manners, morals, and world views. This original selection of outstanding stories published between 1879 and 1893 illustrates the master’s talents to the fullest, offering ironic views of love and marriage as well as thought-provoking meditations on artistic and literary life.
Five tales include “Lord Beaupré,” which concerns a bogus engagement; “The Real Thing,” an exploration of the tension between reality and artistic technique; “The Middle Years,” recounting an ailing author’s reflections on a lifetime of artistic achievement; “Georgina’s Reasons,” in which a defiant young woman makes a secret marriage; and the ghost story “Sir Edmund Orme,” which features a specter who haunts a young woman to ensure that she doesn’t repeat her mother’s mistake.
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