Tales of Henry James: The Texts of the Stories, the Author on His Craft, Background and Criticism

by Henry James

Book Overview

"The Author on His Craft" again reprints James's critical essay "The Art of Fiction" and related passages from his notebooks, including a new passage on "In the Cage." "Criticism" has been entirely... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0393953599
• ISBN13: 9780393953596
• Release Date: January 1984
• Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
• Length: 491 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.2" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

An Excellent Collection

I am reviewing the first edition of this magnificent book. I had no idea there was a second edition, which adds one new tale to the contents and includes updated critical essays. I've just ordered it and can't wait to devour! The contents for the first edition is: THE TEXTS OF THE STORIES "Daisy Miller: A Study" (1878) "An International Episode" (1878) "The Aspern Papers" (1888) "The Pupil" (1891) "Brooksmith" (1891) "The Real Thing" (1892) "The Middle Years" (1893) "The Beast in the Jungle" (1903) "The Jolly Corner" (1908) THE AUTHOR ON HIS CRAFT Editor's Commentary Henry James, "The Art of Fiction" From the Notebooks of Henry James: [On the origin of "Brooksmith"] [On the origin of "The Aspern Papers"] [On the origin of "The Real Thing"] [On the origin of "The Middle Years"] [On the origin of "The Beast in the Jungle"] [Regarding "The Jolly Corner" in retrospect} Henry James, from His Prefaces: [on each of the tales in this edition] Henry James, from His Letters: --To Eliza Lynn Linton (ca. August 1880) --To Mrs. F. H. Hill (March 21, 1879) BACKGROUND: Katherine Anne Porter, "The Days Before" Leon Edel, "Henry James: The American-European Legend" CRITICISM: David Daiches, "Sensibility and Technique (Preface to a Critique) Jacques Barzun, "James the Melodramatist" F. O. Mattiessen and Kenneth B. Murdock, "{How His Ideas Came to Him]" Christof Wegelin, "Revision and Style" Philip Rahv, "Daisy Miller" Carol Ohmann, "Daisy Miller: A Study of Changing Intentions" Christof Wegelin, ["An International Episode"] Wayne C. Booth, "'The Purloining of the Aspern Papers' or 'The Evocation of Venice'?" Mildred Hartsock, "Unweeded Garden: A View of THE ASPERN PAPERS" Mildred Hartsock, ["The Pupil"] Earle Labor, "James's "The Real Thing": Three Levels of Meaning Krishna Baldev Vaid, "The Beast in the Jungle" Edwin H. Cady, ["The Beast in the Jungle"] Krishna Baldev Vaid, "The Jolly Corner" The book tucks in a lot of text, and it is all of extraordinary interest. Literary biography and criticism are passions of mine, and thus these Norton Critical Editions are goldmines that overflow with literary gems. The choice of tales is fine (I would have preferred something other than the dull "An International Episode," something wondrous like "The Figure in the Carpet"). James had such a fine mind, and his imagination knew no equal. His strange works, such as THE SACRED FOUNT and "The Turn of the Screw"and "The Figure in the Carpet" are very weird indeed -- either they completely captivate you or drive you crazy. Of the tales printed here, "The Aspern Papers" is my favourite, a tale with which I am obsessed (I have it in many printed editions and in two spoken word audio editions). The story has inspired a variety of reactions, one of the strongest reactions may be found in Sheldon M. Novick's perverse yet fascinating two-volume biography of Henry James, We find, in THE MATURE MASTER, page 110: "The story was a cruel joke, and it concerned people who were s

An Excellent Collection

I am reviewing the first edition of this magnificent book. I had no idea there was a second edition, which adds one new tale to the contents and includes updated critical essays. I've just ordered it and can't wait to devour! The contents for the first edition is: THE TEXTS OF THE STORIES "Daisy Miller: A Study" (1878) "An International Episode" (1878) "The Aspern Papers" (1888) "The Pupil" (1891) "Brooksmith" (1891) "The Real Thing" (1892) "The Middle Years" (1893) "The Beast in the Jungle" (1903) "The Jolly Corner" (1908) THE AUTHOR ON HIS CRAFT Editor's Commentary Henry James, "The Art of Fiction" From the Notebooks of Henry James: [On the origin of "Brooksmith"] [On the origin of "The Aspern Papers"] [On the origin of "The Real Thing"] [On the origin of "The Middle Years"] [On the origin of "The Beast in the Jungle"] [Regarding "The Jolly Corner" in retrospect} Henry James, from His Prefaces: [on each of the tales in this edition] Henry James, from His Letters: --To Eliza Lynn Linton (ca. August 1880) --To Mrs. F. H. Hill (March 21, 1879) BACKGROUND: Katherine Anne Porter, "The Days Before" Leon Edel, "Henry James: The American-European Legend" CRITICISM: David Daiches, "Sensibility and Technique (Preface to a Critique) Jacques Barzun, "James the Melodramatist" F. O. Mattiessen and Kenneth B. Murdock, "{How His Ideas Came to Him]" Christof Wegelin, "Revision and Style" Philip Rahv, "Daisy Miller" Carol Ohmann, "Daisy Miller: A Study of Changing Intentions" Christof Wegelin, ["An International Episode"] Wayne C. Booth, "'The Purloining of the Aspern Papers' or 'The Evocation of Venice'?" Mildred Hartsock, "Unweeded Garden: A View of THE ASPERN PAPERS" Mildred Hartsock, ["The Pupil"] Earle Labor, "James's "The Real Thing": Three Levels of Meaning Krishna Baldev Vaid, "The Beast in the Jungle" Edwin H. Cady, ["The Beast in the Jungle"] Krishna Baldev Vaid, "The Jolly Corner" The book tucks in a lot of text, and it is all of extraordinary interest. Literary biography and criticism are passions of mine, and thus these Norton Critical Editions are goldmines that overflow with literary gems. The choice of tales is fine (I would have preferred something other than the dull "An International Episode," something wondrous like "The Figure in the Carpet"). James had such a fine mind, and his imagination knew no equal. His strange works, such as THE SACRED FOUNT and "The Turn of the Screw"and "The Figure in the Carpet" are very weird indeed -- either they completely captivate you or drive you crazy. Of the tales printed here, "The Aspern Papers" is my absolutely favourite, a tale with which I am obsessed (I have it in many printed editions and in two spoken word audio editions). The story has inspired a variety of reactions, one of the strongest reactions may be found in Sheldon M. Novick's perverse yet fascinating two-volume biography of Henry James, We find, in THE MATURE MASTER, page 110: "The story was a cruel joke, and it concerned people