Henry James: A Literary Life: A Literary Life

by Kenneth Graham

This comprehensive account of the writing life of Henry James aims at providing a critical overview of all his important writings, firmly set in two contexts: that of James's practical career as a novelist in America, England, and Europe; and that of the literary and intellectual climate of his time. By tracing the complex development of his career under such headings as 'American and Romantic', 'Victorian and Realist', 'Crisis and Experiment' and 'Master and Modernist', it gives a dynamic portrait, both factual and interpretative, of one of the greatest and most prolific novelists in the language, whose many-sided career began in the time of Thackeray and Dickens, and ended by ushering in the writings of Joyce and Woolf.

216 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1995

Reviews

[Julie Bozza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the "Macmillan Literary Lives" series, and haven't found a dud yet.

This instance was a really interesting and thorough look at Henry James's life and work. I read four of James's novels and a couple of stories, before deciding that James just isn't the author for me as a reader. However, he's an interesting person and author despite that, so I was curious to learn more. This tome filled that need. It requires careful reading, as most of Kenneth Graham's sentences are long and complex - though that in itself is probably entirely apt! Not infrequently, I sensed Graham's humour and joy (even exuberance) in his subject, and that is no doubt entirely apt as well.

Recommended to those who enjoy literary biography.