Ring of Conspirators: Henry James and His Literary Circle, 1895-1915

by Miranda Seymour

Illustrated. Includes bibliography and index.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

327 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Len · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some days now I have been trying to think of something interesting to write about this very interesting book, and without any success. It is the story of the last twenty years of Henry James' life when he moved from London to Lamb House in the small south coast town of Rye to reside as his own literary lord of the manor.

Thankfully the lonely old bachelor was able to gather around him a group of fellow writers with whom he could talk, discuss and entertain. Stephen Crane, Ford Madox Ford, Joseph Conrad, and H.G. Wells came to live in the area, while others such as Edith Wharton and Hugh Walpole came to visit. Generally Miranda Seymour concentrates on the influence they had on the development of British literature in the 20th century, and she does it very effectively.

However, for me, I missed the insights that may have been available from such a collection of erudite 'conspirators' into James' character, especially from H. G. Wells. What was the opinion of such a womanizer and philanderer about the ageing apparently sexually neutral ascetic? Was Wells broad-minded if he noticed a twinkle in James' eyes every time an attractive young man passed by? Was he a "nudge-nudge, wink-wink, say no more" type of person, or did it offend him? It would be nice to know. Similarly with Stephen Crane and his relationship with Cora Stewart, did James take it in his stride or was he quietly offended?

All told I think there were too many "big" characters involved in the text to make it work effectively. They each needed a book of their own to discuss how they were influenced by Henry James and how he influenced them rather than a chapter. It was a very enjoyable read but more depth would have helped.

[Brian Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This type of literary biography is my jam.

A deep dive into a period of time when littérateurs came together into an intellectual circle and interchanged ideas and changed and invigorated each others' work mainly for the better, if not entirely transcending their individual work.

In the late Victorian/Early Edwardian era, a group of eminent English and American authors all moved into the Kentish/East Sussex corridor and began to interact socially and artistically. Henry James spent his last two decades here, and served as the informal master for the circle. He was interacting at this time with H.G. Wells, Stephen Crane, Joseph Conrad, and Ford Madox Ford. There, they began to informally emerge into Modernism. By the end of their time (punctuated by the death of James and the beginning of World War I), they had all seen their share and tragedy and triumph, but most importantly, they had established the founding artistic tenets of modernism in fiction. Edith Wharton also makes an appearance as she too is intertwined with the movement - and devoted to James professionally.

Seymour, who also has since written a spectacular biography of Mary Shelley, dives into the motivations as well as the professional pivots of each of her subjects while also making us feel like part of their circle. Burning Boy: The Life and Work of Stephen Crane is a great recent biography of Crane himself, while this book zeroes in on his final healthy days in England. I knew much less about Ford, though I'm not sure I like him very much personally. Conrad is perhaps a genius considering English was his second language and he clearly begins to hit his prime by interacting with Crane and Wells. All of them, including Wells, found inspiration and spiritual sustenance from their time near each other and with each other.

After looking closer at these authors within their circle, as opposed to the usual focus of their isolation as authors in the act of composition, we see how they informed each others' works and pushed the medium forward. Perhaps Henry James learned the least but he too was experimenting at the tail end of his own inner monologue/omniscient mode of narrative - so much so that his peers even dared to tell him that his late masterpieces were unreadable. If one or more of these authors are your jam too, and especially if you like to read about how authors from "the canon" interact and grow off of each others' influence within the sphere of their proximity, this book is a treat. It is rare when I slow down my reading pace in order for the book not to end; personally, this is one of those books.

[David Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the 1890s, Henry James becomes the proud owner of a large home in Rye, England. The surrounding Sussex area is likewise home to major literary figures who form complex alliances and friendships revolving around James, the central character. Fascinating portrait sketches are well told by the author. 3.5 Stars

[Frank Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The list of characters includes several Jameses (including glimpses of some of the next generation after Henry, William and Alice), H.G. Wells, Conrad, Crane, and Wharton. Her (Edith Wharton's)life might have been much different if her husband's probable Bipolar Disorder could have been helped the way it can be now. The author of this book has a satirical style, and can lend barbs and sling tales as well as the people written about could do so. "A watched pot never boils" is given as Howard Sturgis' apology to the person tending him as he died as an apology for not dying more quickly. Someone is quoted as saying that yes, Robert Lewis Stevenson had passed away, but not far enough. The uncontrolled way in which many of the authors lived their lives and the ravages of the medical conditions which could not be handled as well 100 years ago are also apparent. A thanks to this place http://www.facebook.com/Baldface for having the book on their HJ shelf two days ago.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have any interest in the lives of James, Ford, COnrad, Wells, Crane, or Wharton you'll like this book. Well written, does a good job of describing the various relationships between these writers.