For centuries, southern Europe, and Italy in particular, has offered writers far more than an evocative setting for important works of literature. The voyage south has been an integral part of the imagination of inspiration. Haunted Museum is a groundbreaking, in-depth look at fantasies of Italy from the late eighteenth to the early twentieth centuries, focusing on a literary tradition Jonah Siegel terms the "art romance"--the fantastic voyage south understood as the register of an ambivalent desire for art and a heightened experience of reality. Siegel argues that Italy's allure derives not only from its celebrated promise of unique natural beauty and prized antiquities, but from the opportunity it offers writers to place themselves in relation to a web of prior accounts of travel to the native land of genius. Beginning with Goethe as the founding figure of the tradition, Haunted Museum moves from a rich reframing of literature from the first half of the nineteenth century--including new readings of works by Byron, de Staël, Barrett Browning, and others--to an ambitious examination of Henry James's well-known engagement with Europe, newly understood as a response to this important literary legacy. Readings of works by Freud, Forster, Mann, and Proust demonstrate the longevity of the tradition of looking to Italy for the representation of desires as impossible to satisfy as they are to deny.

Henry James' 'Complete Works' offers a comprehensive collection of the author's unparalleled literary creations including novels, short stories, plays, essays, autobiography, and letters. James' intricate prose captures the complexities of human relationships, societal norms, and the innermost thoughts of his characters. His use of psychological realism and nuanced dialogue set him apart as a master of 19th-century literature, influencing generations of writers to come. The collection showcases James' exploration of themes such as innocence vs. experience, the clash of cultures, and the intricacies of personal identity. Readers are sure to be captivated by the depth and richness of his storytelling. Henry James, known for his keen observation of human behavior and intricate character studies, wrote with a meticulous attention to detail and a deep understanding of social dynamics. His own experiences living in Europe and exploring the complexities of differing cultures undoubtedly influenced his work, giving him a unique perspective on the world around him. Through his works, James invites readers to delve into the complexities of human nature and the intricacies of interpersonal relationships. For readers seeking a profound literary experience that delves deep into the human psyche and explores the complexities of relationships and society, Henry James' 'Complete Works' is a must-read. Offering a vast array of genres and themes, this collection is sure to resonate with those who appreciate thoughtful and nuanced storytelling.

Delicate Pursuit explores the way in which Henry James and Edith Wharton treated subject matter that was considered controversial by American publishers at the turn of the century. In their treatment of risque topics, James and Wharton pursued discretion, the key concept of this study, in order to avoid censorship. Discretion marks not only the author's relationship to their subject matter but also the behavior of the characters in the fiction. This study takes into particular account the influence of the French literary tradition on these two authors. At the crossroads of the new freedom of expression opened up by French realism and the persisting puritanical standards of their American audiences, James and Wharton sough safe ways to address adult sexuality, and the French theme of adulterous love in particular.