The Aspern Papers and Other Stories (Oxford World's Classics) [Paperback]

Henry James (Author), Adrian Poole (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Oxford World's Classics | Publication Date: August 24, 2000

An American editor with an enthusiasm for the works of Jeffrey Aspern, a romantic poet of the early 19th century, goes to Venice to acquire the letters that Aspern wrote to his mistress, a Miss Bordereau, whom he called "Juliana." Under an assumed name he rents a suite in the ancient palace where she lives in poverty and seclusion with her niece, Miss Tina. He finds that the old lady is shrewd and haughty and accepts him as a lodger only to put aside money for the future of Miss Tina, a timid, unattractive spinster much in awe of her aunt. During his residence with them, the editor wins the friendship of Miss Tina, to whom he reveals his mission. Leaving Venice for a fortnight, he returns to find that Miss Bordereau has died. Miss Tina, who is clearly in love, welcomes him expectantly, but confesses that she could only give him the papers if he were "a relative."

In addition to "The Aspern Papers," this collection contains "The Private Life," "The Middle Years," and "The Death of the Lion," as well as prefaces by Henry James, a chronology of his life, and editor's notes.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Henry James (1843-1916), son of Henry James Sr. and brother of the philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James, was an American-born author and literary critic of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He spent much of his life in Europe and became a British subject shortly before his death. He is primarily known for novels, novellas and short stories based on themes of consciousness and morality.

Product Details

• Paperback: 254 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (August 24, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192836161
• ISBN-13: 978-0192836168
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,281,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Henry James (1843-1916), the son of the religious philosopher Henry James Sr. and brother of the psychologist and philosopher William James, published many important novels including Daisy Miller, The Wings of the Dove, The Golden Bowl, and The Ambassadors.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and also heartbreaking, February 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Aspern Papers and Other Stories (Konemann Classics) (Hardcover)

The title novella here is one of the finest examples of the entire genre. The questions underlying the narrator's intended crime (such as the problems of literary propriety, the "hauntedness" scholars feel from their literary subjects) are exquisitely handled... yet even so this story wouldn't be nearly so memorable if its expert treatment of Miss Tina's anguish weren't rendered so vividly. Her confession scene ("I can't go on... I'm too ashamed!") is one of the most moving things James ever wrote, equalled only by her strange surmounting of that anguish later in the book and by the narrator's rueful closing words.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Civilization and Its Discontents, December 16, 2005

By 

Arch Llewellyn "arch-l" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Aspern Papers and Other Stories (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

The Aspern Papers is a brilliant story that concentrates everything great about Henry James in one brisk addictive read. James had such a deep feeling for the ornate social niceties of his day that he was able to poke fun of them while still respecting their essential decency--he seemed to understand the greed and brutality they kept in check. Our unnamed narrator's quest to outfox a great poet's elderly mistress and lay ahold of her onetime lover's papers unfolds in a languid world of gondolas, decaying Venetian palazzos, hot evenings in overgrown gardens, and above all a comfortable leisure that allows the smallest social gestures to take on earth-shaking significance.

James had an uncanny ability to make that world come alive, bringing you into its subtleties and rites, while at the same time taking you behind the elegant façade to expose the aggression, cupidity, and naked power politics that lurk just beneath the impeccable manners. Our narrator wants the papers; the mistress wants money for her niece, and the niece ... well, order this book and read on to find out. You won't be disappointed--it's one of James's best.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars James at His Most Modern, July 29, 1999

By 

Daniel Robuck (Campbell, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Aspern Papers and Other Stories (The World's Classics) (Paperback)

"The Aspern Papers" asks the question: to what extent should private information be made public and for what reason? James' book concerns the triple manipulations of people who have or want access to the private love letters written by a famous 19th century poet, Jeffrey Aspern. The sperned lover, an antique American named Juliana, has her reasons for keeping and for selling the letters (if they exist at all). A greedy and unnamed young journalist wishes to build his career on the exposure of Juliana's love affair to the Jeffrey Aspern. A spinster, Juliana's niece who shares Juliana's villa in Venice, is the "price" for the sale of the letters. Add to this the "ghost" of Jeffrey Aspern, who seems to be present around every corner, and what James has produced is a suspenseful tale of warped values, shady dealings, and the corruption of "the innocents". James' language and style may at first be daunting, but "The Aspern Papers" is a wonderful introduction to a great American writer who knew first-hand the power of psychology.