Travels with Henry James

by Henry James, Hendrik Hertzberg (Foreword), Michael Anesko (Introduction)

"To travel with James in these pages is to take an unhurried vacation with a thoroughly seasoned, supremely cultivated, acutely intelligent companion. Our guide is a curious, engaged observer not only of landscapes and streets and cathedrals but also of paintings and plays and the characteristics -- national, social, and individual -- of the people we encounter at his side. This is a book to be read slowly, the better to absorb its sights and sounds, its insights and reflections." -- from the foreword by Hendrik Hertzberg Brimming with charm, wit, and biting criticism, this new collection of travel essays reintroduces Henry James as a formidable travel companion. Whether for a trip to Lake George or an afternoon visit to an art exhibit in Paris, James will delight readers with his insights and make them feel nostalgic for places they've never been.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, History, Classics, Biography, Essays

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2016

About the author

Henry James was an American-British author. He is regarded as a key transitional figure between literary realism and literary modernism, and is considered by many to be among the greatest novelists in the English language. He was the son of Henry James Sr. and the brother of philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James.
He is best known for his novels dealing with the social and marital interplay between émigré Americans, the English, and continental Europeans, such as The Portrait of a Lady. His later works, such as The Ambassadors, The Wings of the Dove and The Golden Bowl were increasingly experimental. In describing the internal states of mind and social dynamics of his characters, James often wrote in a style in which ambiguous or contradictory motives and impressions were overlaid or juxtaposed in the discussion of a character's psyche. For their unique ambiguity, as well as for other aspects of their composition, his late works have been compared to Impressionist painting.
His novella The Turn of the Screw has garnered a reputation as the most analysed and ambiguous ghost story in the English language and remains his most widely adapted work in other media. He wrote other highly regarded ghost stories, such as "The Jolly Corner".
James published articles and books of criticism, travel, biography, autobiography, and plays. Born in the United States, James largely relocated to Europe as a young man, and eventually settled in England, becoming a British citizen in 1915, a year before his death. James was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1911, 1912, and 1916. Jorge Luis Borges said "I have visited some literatures of East and West; I have compiled an encyclopedic compendium of fantastic literature; I have translated Kafka, Melville, and Bloy; I know of no stranger work than that of Henry James."

Reviews

[Branwen Sedai *of the Brown Ajah* · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first foray into the writing of Henry James. I wanted to start with this book (or rather, this book of collected essays), because I wanted to get a feel for his writing style and also because I love travel essays and these were exquisite. He described in such beautiful details places that I long to see; France, Germany, London, Scotland, and countless others. Very beautiful work, and I look forward to reading more of Henry James' work. :)

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

A mixed bag of witty, insightful gems amongst dull dross. The writing excels in some of his descriptions of people and scenery (Niagara Falls being a particularly good report) but positively drags in others. This is the travel journal of a self-centered dilettante, publishable, I suspect, only for lack of competition at the time. The modern-day equivalent wouldn't make it off a Wordpress blog (except maybe to get skewered?). It may be a faithful collection of his early writing - very few writers burst onto the scene at the top of their game - but an enjoyable one would be much shorter and more selectively curated.

[Martin Pilkington · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a book of pieces written by Henry James betweeen 1870 and 1879. The pieces, or sketches as they sometimes called, were published in American periodicals. The forward and introduction mentions some of the titles, such as The Nation, as if the reader is aware of what they are. Maybe that’s true of an American reader, but for those English reader, the names mean nothing.

Is that important? I’d say yes knowing the type of reader the pieces are aimed at help identify the tone the author is trying for, humorous, generally informative, etc, and how to read the pieces. To me the pieces do feel sketchy, there could be more to each piece but maybe this is what the original readers wanted?

My main complaint is James’ use of foreign language quotations in the pieces. It feels a bit like he’s trying to show off a bit too much. There are other problems i had in his being a little dismissive of places and people.

An interesting read that shows American thought at this period, not least about the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71.

[Carlos Vasconcelos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry James is the only writer that writes like a true gentleman.

[Karen Levi · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review is not fair, since James is considered an important American/English writer of a certain period. I would give the writing a 5; my experience of reading the essays was a 3. I rated a 4, an average. For my taste and sensibility, the writing overwhelmed and exhausted me. I could only read some of the essays, until I said to myself, "Enough." Perhaps, 21st century readers, like me, do not have the patience for the wordy, winding, and wieldy text.
Henry James constructed beautiful passages; but, at the same time, overplayed his strength. I recognize that this was the writing of a very young man, full of himself. I did appreciate the descriptions of the American northeast, places I have visited. Clearly, Henry James was more impressed with the Continent. His word pictures of Italy interested me, since I have only toured Florence and Pisa many years ago.
The descriptions of the very rich stood the test of time; he could have been describing today's billionaires. I believe the very rich know their peers the best. Henry James originated from a wealthy, intellectual, and privileged family. He wrote during the Gilded Age which has been compared to today.
I picked up his book from the shelf of the "librarian's choice." I could not read his novels years ago. I thought essays about travel would be easier to comprehend which was true. Be brave and try Henry James.

[Allen Herring · Rating 5 out of 5]

James is duch an amazing writer. Some of his passages, descriptions of sights, sounds, and people, are complex winding narratives that fortunately, for both him and us, never become confusing or longwinded; he simple knows how to write and his command of language is par excellence.

[Tammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seventeen days to read a 250 page book. That's not good. I don't think I enjoy the writing style of Henry James but I'll be sure to pick up his fiction before I give up entirely. I liked his travel essay on Niagara and the Parisian Stage but that's about it.

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

The perfect diversion from current events, this collection of various of James' travel sketches contains one of my favorite quotes:

"Before me and beside me sat a row of the comeliest young men, clad in black gowns and wearing on their shoulders long hoods trimmed in white fur. Who and what they were I know not, for I preferred not to learn, lest by chance they should not be so mediaeval as they looked."

(Observed inside Wells Cathedral.)