Explore the intricate interplay of reality and illusion in Henry James's captivating collection, "The Real Thing and Other Tales." This volume features the eponymous short story, "The Real Thing," which serves as a brilliant commentary on the complexities of representation and authenticity in art. In "The Real Thing," James crafts a narrative that blurs the lines between reality and illusion, revealing the challenges faced by an illustrator who finds that the true-to-life models are less useful than their idealized counterparts. This story, rich with thematic depth, reflects James's fascination with the deceptive nature of appearances and the struggle to capture genuine artistry in a world where reality and representation are intricately entangled. Ever wondered how authenticity can sometimes undermine the artistic process? James’s tale offers a profound look at how the quest for the "real thing" can lead to unexpected complications and ironic outcomes. What happens when the genuine article fails to live up to its intended purpose? Dive into this collection to experience James's masterful storytelling and explore how his later works grapple with the evolving dynamics of art and representation. Each tale offers a unique perspective on the themes that preoccupied James, providing readers with an engaging and thought-provoking experience. Ready to unravel the layers of reality and illusion in Henry James’s world? Grab your copy of "The Real Thing and Other Tales" today and immerse yourself in a narrative that challenges your perceptions of art and authenticity. Don’t miss out on this insightful collection. Purchase "The Real Thing and Other Tales" now and delve into Henry James’s exploration of the delicate balance between reality and representation.

Henry James led a wandering life, which took him far from his native shores, but he continued to think of New York City, where his family had settled for several years during his childhood, as his hometown. Here Colm Tóibín, the author of the Man Booker Prize shortlisted novel The Master, a portrait of Henry James, brings together for the first time all the stories that James set in New York City. Written over the course of James’s career and ranging from the deliciously tart comedy of the early “An International Episode” to the surreal and haunted corridors of “The Jolly Corner,” and including “Washington Square,” the poignant novella considered by many (though not, as it happens, by the author himself) to be one of James’s finest achievements, the nine fictions gathered here reflect James’s varied talents and interests as well as the deep and abiding preoccupations of his imagination. And throughout the book, as Tóibín’s fascinating introduction demonstrates, we see James struggling to make sense of a city in whose rapidly changing outlines he discerned both much that he remembered and held dear as well as everything about America and its future that he dreaded most. Stories included: The Story of a Masterpiece A Most Extraordinary Case Crawford’s Consistency An International Episode The Impressions of a Cousin The Jolly Corner Washington Square Crapy Cornelia A Round of Visits

TEN BOOKS IN ONE! A one, beautifully laid-out volume, ten of Henry James's most beloved and influential novellas. Included in this collection are: The Turn of the Screw (1898) Daisy Miller (1878) The Beast In The Jungle (1903) The Pupil (1891) The Aspern Papers (1888) The Figure In The Carpet (1896) The Lesson of the Master (1888) The Death of the Lion (1894) The Real Thing (1892) The Altar of the Dead (1895)

This collection of prefaces, originally written for the 1909 multi-volume New York Edition of Henry James’s fiction, first appeared in book form in 1934 with an introduction by poet and critic R. P. Blackmur. In his prefaces, James tackles the great problems of fiction writing—character, plot, point of view, inspiration—and explains how he came to write novels such as The Portrait of a Lady and The American. As Blackmur puts it, “criticism has never been more ambitious, nor more useful.” The latest edition of this influential work includes a foreword by bestselling author Colm Tóibín, whose critically acclaimed novel The Master is told from the point of view of Henry James. As a guide not only to James’s inspiration and execution, but also to his frustrations and triumphs, this volume will be valuable both to students of James’s fiction and to aspiring writers.

After her parents� bitter divorce, young Maisie Farange finds herself shuttled between her selfish mother and vain father, who value her only as a means for provoking each other. Maisie � solitary, observant and wise beyond her years � is drawn into an increasingly entangled adult world of intrigue and sexual betrayal, until she is finally compelled to choose her own future. What Maisie Knew is a subtle yet devastating portrayal of an innocent adrift in a corrupt society. Part of a relaunch of three James titles.

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James is a classic ghost story that continues to captivate readers over a century after its initial publication. Set in the late 19th century, the novella follows a young governess who is hired to care for two young children, Flora and Miles, at the remote and eerie Bly Manor. As the governess begins her duties, she becomes increasingly convinced that the manor is haunted by the spirits of the previous governess, Miss Jessel, and her lover, Peter Quint, who both died under mysterious circumstances. The story unfolds as the governess tries to protect the children from the malevolent ghosts, while also questioning her own sanity and the motives of the children in their interactions with the spirits. One of the most intriguing aspects of The Turn of the Screw is its unreliable narrator. The story is told through the perspective of the governess, whose mental state and perceptions of events are constantly called into question. This creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, leaving readers to question whether the ghosts are real or just figments of the governess's imagination. James masterfully plays with the theme of perception and reality, leaving readers to draw their own conclusions about the events at Bly Manor. Another striking element of the novella is its use of Gothic elements. The isolated location, the decaying mansion, and the presence of ghosts all contribute to the eerie atmosphere of the story. James also incorporates psychological horror, as the governess's fears and paranoia intensify throughout the story, building tension and suspense. The Turn of the Screw is a prime example of Gothic literature, with its exploration of the dark side of human nature and the blurred lines between the living and the dead. One of the most controversial aspects of the novella is its ambiguous ending. The governess's final confrontation with the ghosts and the fate of the children are left open to interpretation, inviting readers to ponder the true meaning of the story. Some critics argue that the ghosts are a product of the governess's overactive imagination, while others believe that they are real and that the children are in danger. This open-ended conclusion has sparked countless debates and interpretations, making The Turn of the Screw a thought-provoking and enduring piece of literature. In addition to its literary merits, The Turn of the Screw also offers insight into the societal norms and expectations of the time period in which it was written. James explores themes of gender roles and class distinctions through the character of the governess, who is expected to be subservient and obedient to her male employer and to maintain the social hierarchy between herself and the children. The story also touches on the taboo subject of sexual relationships, particularly in regards to the ghosts and their influence on the children. Ultimately, The Turn of the Screw is a haunting and enigmatic work that continues to captivate readers with its complex characters, Gothic atmosphere, and thought-provoking themes. It is a testament to Henry James's mastery of storytelling and his ability to create a sense of unease and suspense that lingers long after the final page. A must-read for anyone interested in Gothic literature, psychological thrillers, or the blurred lines between reality and the supernatural.

This carefully crafted ebook: "Complete Works of Henry James: Novels, Short Stories, Plays, Essays, Autobiography and Letters" is formatted for your eReader with a functional and detailed table of contents. Henry James (1843-1916) was an American-British writer who spent most of his writing career in Britain. He is regarded as one of the key figures of 19th-century literary realism. Table of Contents: Autobiographies: A Small Boy and Others Notes of a Son and Brother The Middle Years Novels: Confidence Roderick Hudson The Ambassadors The American The Awkward Age The Bostonians The Europeans The Golden Bowl The Other House The Outcry The Portrait of a Lady The Princess Casamassima The Reverberator The Sacred Fount The Spoils of Poynton The Tragic Muse The Whole Family The Wings of the Dove Washington Square Watch and Ward What Maisie Knew The Ivory Tower (Unfinished) Novellas and Short Stories Plays: A Change of Heart Daisy Miller Disengaged Guy Domville Pyramus and Thisbe Still Waters Summersoft Tenants The Album The High Bid The Outcry The Reprobate Essays and Studies: Essays in London and Elsewhere French Novelists and Poets Hawthorne Notes and Reviews Notes on Novelists Partial Portraits Picture and Text Portraits of Places The Art of the Novel Views and Reviews William Wetmore Story and His Friends Within the Rim and Other Essays Collected Travel Sketches: A Little Tour in France English Hours Italian Hours The American Scene Transatlantic Sketches Collected Letters Collected Works about Henry James: An Extract from 'The Decay of Lying' by Oscar Wilde Henry James. An Appreciation by Joseph Conrad Henry James, Jr by William Dean Howells Other Essays: Henry James by Virginia Woolf Underwoods: Poems Addressed to Henry James by Robert Louis Stevenson Memoirs and Portraits: An Essay and Letter by Robert Louis Stevenson

Henry James’s Daisy Miller was an immediate sensation when it was first published in 1878 and has remained popular ever since. In this novella, the charming but inscrutable young American of the title shocks European society with her casual indifference to its social mores. The novella was popular in part because of the debates it sparked about foreign travel, the behaviour of women, and cultural clashes between people of different nationalities and social classes. This Broadview edition presents an early version of James’s best-known novella within the cultural contexts of its day. In addition to primary materials about nineteenth-century womanhood, foreign travel, medicine, philosophy, theatre, and art—some of the topics that interested James as he was writing the story—this volume includes James’s ruminations on fiction, theatre, and writing, and presents excerpts of Daisy Miller as he rewrote it for the theatre and for a much later and heavily revised edition.