Frankie Frabizzio’s Reviews > The New York Stories of Henry James > Status Update

(cont’d) and James’ trademark subtle gay yearning between Horace and Ferdinand was very refreshing in its nuance—their unspoken rivalry in “loving” the same dignified woman was beautifully supplanted through their mutual respect and intimate appreciation of one another. Horace saying to Ferdinand that he will hate him if he doesn’t recover followed by Ferdinand’s “I give you leave to” was so tender.

A Most Extraordinary Case was such an intimate slice-of-life that broke my heart in the end. Ferdinand deserved a recovery. Both Caroline and Mrs Mason were delicate, dutiful, and dignified characters who were such a pleasure to read about, and Ferdinand was a very sympathetic protagonist—his moments of edginess were always promptly undercut by temperance and courteousness that made me heave a sigh of relief (cont)