Henry James: A Life in Letters

by Henry James
Henry James: A Life in Letters cover
Good Books rating 4.05
Biography and Memoir
Technical
  • ID: 5293
  • Added: 2025-10-23
  • Updated: 2025-10-23
  • ISBN: 9780141922133
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2014-01-02
  • Reviews: 4

Henry James's correspondences offer a unique glimpse into the life and mind of one of literature's most celebrated figures. His letters, spanning a wide array of topics from his own works to broader societal issues, provide an intimate and revealing portrait of the man behind the masterpieces. This annotated collection allows readers to explore James's views on the literary craft, sex, politics, and friendship, making it a rich and fascinating source for understanding his world. /n/n The letters are not just a collection of personal communications but also serve as a 'real and best biography' of James, according to Philip Horne. They include exchanges with presidents, prime ministers, artists, and fellow writers like Robert Louis Stevenson and Edith Wharton, painting a vivid picture of the intellectual and cultural milieu of the time.

Reviews
Five Books · 2023-01-01
extraordinary 4.50

Henry James is celebrated as one of the greatest letter writers, with an extraordinary ability to connect with readers' feelings. The reviewer highlights the depth and richness of his correspondence.

The reviewer at Five Books praises Henry James as a master of the written word, particularly through his letters. They describe his ability to evoke emotions and insights that resonate deeply with readers. The reviewer also notes the historical and literary significance of James' correspondence, which offers a unique window into his life and thoughts. This collection is seen as a treasure trove for anyone interested in James' literary craft and personal reflections.

Quick quotes

    "Henry James! The greatest of all letter writers, I think, without a doubt. Wonderful. Extraordinary."

    "He has an uncanny ability to connect with the feelings of his readers."

    "His letters provide a rich and fascinating source for his views on his own works, on the literary craft, on sex, politics and friendship."

Literary Review · Clive Bush · 2023-01-01
profound 4.00

The letters of Henry James are celebrated as a significant literary achievement, offering profound insights into his life and times. The reviewer appreciates the imaginative triumph of these letters.

Clive Bush, in his review for Literary Review, highlights the enduring value of Henry James' letters. He notes that these letters are not just personal correspondence but also a testament to James' literary genius. Bush appreciates the depth and complexity of James' thoughts on various subjects, making this collection a must-read for literature enthusiasts. The reviewer also points out how these letters provide a unique perspective on the late nineteenth century and the early modern period.

Quick quotes

    "The letters of Henry James, variously collected, stand secure as one of the imaginative triumphs of the late nineteenth century and the early modern period."

    "He knew what his novels and stories were about, and he knew how to write them."

    "James was profoundly ambivalent about the public's interest in his private life."

The New Criterion · 2023-01-01
rich 4.20

Henry James' letters are seen as a rich source of his views on literature, politics, and friendship. The reviewer notes the depth and richness of his correspondence.

The reviewer at The New Criterion delves into the rich tapestry of Henry James' letters, highlighting his profound insights into literature, politics, and personal relationships. They note that James' letters offer a unique perspective on his life and times, making this collection a valuable resource for anyone interested in his work. The reviewer also appreciates the depth of James' thoughts on various subjects, which are beautifully captured in his correspondence. This collection is seen as a testament to James' literary genius and his enduring influence on the literary world.

Quick quotes

    "Blink in a Henry James novel and you may well have missed its meaning."

    "He knew what his novels and stories were about, and he knew how to write them."

    "The letters provide a rich and fascinating source for James' views on his own works, on the literary craft, on sex, politics and friendship."

Project MUSE · P Rawlings · 2001-01-01
fascinating 3.50

The collection of Henry James' letters provides a rich and fascinating source for his views on literature, sex, politics, and friendship.

P Rawlings delves into the complexities of Henry James' personality and his ambivalence towards posthumous examinations of his life. They highlight the letters as a rich source of James' views on various topics, including his own works, literary craft, and personal relationships. Rawlings appreciates the depth and breadth of James' correspondence, which offers valuable insights into his life and thought.

Quick quotes

    "The letters provide a rich and fascinating source for James' views on his own works, on the literary craft, on sex, politics and friendship."

    "Insatiably curious about the lives of others, yet fearful about posthumous excavations of his own, Henry James was profoundly ambivalent ..."

    "Together they provide a rich and fascinating source for James' views on his own works, on the literary craft, on sex, politics and friendship."

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