Henry James: The Untried Years : 1843-1870

I came along too late to purchase in hardcover the 5 volumes of the 1950s that have become the standard work on Henry James; so in August, 1978, when this boxed softcover, massmarket set, appeared at my local Walden Books, I purchased it. Though I have read through it before, a new novel from Martha Grimes (DUST) got my interest stoked in James, again. To me reading about this giant of letters is as important or more so than reading the actual novels he wrote. One thing brought much to the forefront in this first volume is the rivalry between his older brother, William, and himself. According to Edel this never changed throughout his life, and as Henry James lay dying he thought William was in the house, but did not want him in the same room. Many other nuggets are contained within this first volume which covers, and covers very well, all of the early life of Henry James. This is the writer who pretty much invented the modern novel that has come down to us today. For anyone interested in Henry James this is one series that must be read. Semper Fi.

The biography of Henry James. Covers his childhood with many significant and piquant details, and goes on to his youth, the highlights of which were the famous accident...which has given rise to a great deal of uninformed speculation...and on to James non-combatant status in the Civil War. Then the story proceeds to the events and relationships of James early maturity, his life in Cambridge in the late 1860's, his frequent travels, the growing attraction of Europe; his first flights as a writer and the establishment of his early reputation; his friendships; and the tragic story of his cousin Minny Temple, who came as close as anyone to being his first love, who symbolized so much for him, and whose spirit was to animate more than one of his heroines.