Henry James

Henry James's experience of drama began in the New York theatres of his 1850s childhood; in Europe he became familiar with the London theatre and the Théâtre-Français in Paris. He went on to experiment continuously with the 'scenic art' in his fiction, and to write plays himself. This complete collection of James's essays and reviews on drama discusses a range of theatre, including productions of Shakespeare, Tennyson, 'well-made' French plays and early performances of Ibsen. In addition, he characterises some of the great performers of the day, including Irving, Terry, Kemble, Ristori, Coquelin and Salvini. Readers will find James's texts as they first appeared, with a wealth of editorial support, which evokes the colourful world of late Victorian theatre. Many of the items included have not previously been available in a scholarly edition. The editorial apparatus includes a general introduction, a chronology, a textual variants section, and a biographical guide to actors.

Henry James records in his autobiography a transformative childhood experience in the Louvre when he foresaw the 'fun' that art might bring him. Many of his novels and stories indeed go on to dramatise the circumstances of the artist's life, and their allusions to art are extensive. This complete collection of essays and reviews presents the observations of a major author whose critical judgments have become central to an understanding of late-nineteenth-century art. Readers will find James's texts as they first appeared, with a wealth of editorial support, which captures the mood and values of the art scene in Britain, France and America - its interesting minor figures, as well as names still familiar. Many of these items are difficult to access and have not previously been available in a scholarly edition. The editorial apparatus includes a general introduction, a chronology, a textual variants section, and a biographical guide to artists.

Henry James left America in 1875 for the sake of his art and for the rich cultural heritage of Europe. His return in the late summer of 1904, based on both romantic and practical motives, allowed him to revisit the now-transformed cities of his youth as well as to experience for the first time the country's southern states. The American Scene is a major work from James' final, most adventurous creative phase and offers a cultural and social critique of contemporary American society as well as a personal series of 'gathered impressions', a form of indirect yet sometimes intimate autobiography. This new edition includes detailed explanatory notes, a general introduction, a chronology, an itinerary of James' journey, a record of textual variants and rare manuscript material, appendices which include the journal James kept, texts for the two lectures he gave, and two additional essays written on his return to England.

The Collected Stories of Henry James presents a masterful compilation of short fiction from one of the greatest figures in literary realism and psychological insight. Spanning his prolific career, these stories explore the subtleties of human behavior, the tensions between Old World and New World values, and the quiet dramas of conscience, love, and perception. From haunting tales like The Turn of the Screw to elegant social studies such as Daisy Miller and The Aspern Papers, James crafts richly textured narratives that reveal the complexities of identity and morality. With refined prose and penetrating observation, this collection showcases James's brilliance as a storyteller of depth, nuance, and timeless relevance.

Una de las mejores novelas cortas de Henry James. Un escritor joven con una carrera prometedora traba amistad con un autor reconocido, ya en decadencia, que le descubrir el sacrificio que implica consagrar la vida al arte. El eje de la acci n gira alrededor de estos dos personajes y de una mujer a la que ambos artistas aman. El arte y la creaci n constituyen para los tres elementos esenciales en sus vidas; de ah que las elecciones vitales que tomen vendr n marcadas por el dilema entre fama y xito art stico. La caracterizaci n psicol gica es deslumbrante y el recurso del punto de vista se convierte en un callej n sin salida desde el que el propio autor observa el movimiento de sus personajes. Considerada por la cr tica como una de las mejores novelas cortas de Henry James, La lecci n del maestro supone la m xima expresi n de la intensa depuraci n narrativa del genial escritor norteamericano. ENGLISH DESCRIPTION One of Henry James's finest short novels. A young writer with a promising career befriends a renowned author, now in decline, who reveals to him the sacrifice involved in dedicating one's life to art. The story revolves around these two characters and a woman both artists love. For all three, art and creation are essential elements of their lives; hence their life choices are marked by the dilemma between fame and artistic success. The psychological characterization is dazzling, and the use of perspective becomes a dead-end from which the author himself observes his characters' movements. Considered by critics as one of Henry James's best short novels, The Lesson of the Master represents the pinnacle of narrative refinement by the brilliant American writer.