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The Diary of a Man of Fifty
Returning to Florence after 25 years of military service, a man finds himself haunted by memories of a thwarted love affair that took place on the banks of the Arno during his youth. On inquiring after the erstwhile object of his affections, he encounters a young man in amorous pursuit of her daughter. Eager to spare his young friend the sorrow that has marred his own life, the man finds himself deliberating the morality of recounting his own story. This heartbreaking tale touches on themes that were to dominate Henry James's later fiction, including the suggestibility of youth and the dubious morality of influence. With characteristic psychological insight and a youthful fluency of expression, even in his early work James demonstrates himself a master of the art of fiction.
124 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1879
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215 people want to read
About the author
Henry James
4,561 books3,952 followersHenry 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."
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."
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March 4, 2025
Florença, Itália, 27 anos mais tarde: um homem inglês recorda a sua paixão juvenil por uma mulher italiana, que, como bom inglês, não soube entender.
Não há nada mais analítico do que a desilusão e o arrependimento. Foi demasiado cauteloso...demasiado desconfiado...demasiado racional.
«Se arruinei a felicidade dela, tampouco fiz a minha. E poderia tê-la feito - eh? Eis uma descoberta fascinante para um homem da minha idade!»
Pois é, meu caro: todos acabamos por descobrir - mais tarde ou mais cedo - que fizemos grandes asneiras.
Não há nada mais analítico do que a desilusão e o arrependimento. Foi demasiado cauteloso...demasiado desconfiado...demasiado racional.
«Se arruinei a felicidade dela, tampouco fiz a minha. E poderia tê-la feito - eh? Eis uma descoberta fascinante para um homem da minha idade!»
Pois é, meu caro: todos acabamos por descobrir - mais tarde ou mais cedo - que fizemos grandes asneiras.
November 20, 2022
**3.5 stars**
"When a man has reached his fifty-second year without being, materially the worse for wear- when he has fair health, a fair fortune, a tidy conscience and a complete exemption from embarrassing relatives-I suppose he is bound, in delicacy, to write himself happy."
This story is among the least famous works of Henry James, whom I sincerely believe to be an underrated author. Not like Poe, who at least received his fame after death. I hardly know someone who’s familiar with any of James’ work other than “The Turn of The Screw”, and that too heavily criticized. As for this one, James neglected it himself and never included it in his collected works. Err…why??
The a-little-short-to-be-novella plot revolves around a quinquagenarian, who was revisiting Florence after around twenty-seven years, after retiring from the army, and came across a familiar name which belonged to the-the late Contessa Salvi, for whose hand he once craved. While enquiring about her daughter he came across a man in his twenties who was a suitor, and in whom he could see himself of that age. The rest of the story is all about how he tries to convince the unsuspecting suitor that the daughter is the same as the mother, a flirtatious “coquette”. (All because they are apparently identical in looks and personality). He felt the analogy too strong, and he himself felt betrayed back at his time, and simply didn’t want another “kid” to be “heartbroken”.
The story is oddly resonant, actually. In India, out of ten you will meet eight elderly people who are convinced that since they have seen more of the world, they are far more knowledgeable (not just experienced) than any random youth. And seven will remain convinced of the same even after being proved wrong, maybe more than once.
The colonel here, as many other prominent characters of James, probably is “ a man who is so blinded by his own past experience and lack of real perception that he is unable to correctly interpret the world he inhabits. ” And also, he ending is ambiguous in the sense we aren’t sure of the purpose of the colonel, which is further made confusing by his meddled thoughts. The state of matrimony, in here is depicted as an area of altercation and potential death, though somehow that’s a bit irrelevant.
All in all, not at all a masterpiece, (obviously) but reading it is like looking at the combined elements of a thoughtful work through a translucent window.
"And I might have made it-eh?"
"When a man has reached his fifty-second year without being, materially the worse for wear- when he has fair health, a fair fortune, a tidy conscience and a complete exemption from embarrassing relatives-I suppose he is bound, in delicacy, to write himself happy."
This story is among the least famous works of Henry James, whom I sincerely believe to be an underrated author. Not like Poe, who at least received his fame after death. I hardly know someone who’s familiar with any of James’ work other than “The Turn of The Screw”, and that too heavily criticized. As for this one, James neglected it himself and never included it in his collected works. Err…why??
The a-little-short-to-be-novella plot revolves around a quinquagenarian, who was revisiting Florence after around twenty-seven years, after retiring from the army, and came across a familiar name which belonged to the-the late Contessa Salvi, for whose hand he once craved. While enquiring about her daughter he came across a man in his twenties who was a suitor, and in whom he could see himself of that age. The rest of the story is all about how he tries to convince the unsuspecting suitor that the daughter is the same as the mother, a flirtatious “coquette”. (All because they are apparently identical in looks and personality). He felt the analogy too strong, and he himself felt betrayed back at his time, and simply didn’t want another “kid” to be “heartbroken”.
The story is oddly resonant, actually. In India, out of ten you will meet eight elderly people who are convinced that since they have seen more of the world, they are far more knowledgeable (not just experienced) than any random youth. And seven will remain convinced of the same even after being proved wrong, maybe more than once.
The colonel here, as many other prominent characters of James, probably is “ a man who is so blinded by his own past experience and lack of real perception that he is unable to correctly interpret the world he inhabits. ” And also, he ending is ambiguous in the sense we aren’t sure of the purpose of the colonel, which is further made confusing by his meddled thoughts. The state of matrimony, in here is depicted as an area of altercation and potential death, though somehow that’s a bit irrelevant.
All in all, not at all a masterpiece, (obviously) but reading it is like looking at the combined elements of a thoughtful work through a translucent window.
"And I might have made it-eh?"
November 7, 2017
Ha senso chiedersi se abbiamo fatto le scelte giuste?
Dopo un quarto di secolo un cinquantenne inglese ritorna a Firenze, città in cui aveva conosciuto, amato e poi abbandonato una fanciulla.
Un insieme di ricordi, positivi e negativi, inizia a vorticare nella sua mente. E incontrato un giovane che si è invaghito della figlia della sua amata di un tempo, cerca di trasmettergli le sue esperienze negative (ma si possono trasmettere le esperienze?).
Vorrebbe trasferire all'altro le sue convinzioni di un tempo, vorrebbe convincerlo a lasciare perdere; ma alla fine non fa altro che tentare di dimostrare a sé stesso che ha fatto a suo tempo la scelta giusta.
Come al solito James è finissimo nel costruire certezze che poi, lentamente, vengono smontate.
Facciamo sempre le scelte giuste? Le nostre decisioni sono sempre basate su fatti certi? Quanto pesano le influenze esterne nelle nostre valutazioni? E, soprattutto, ha senso farsi queste domande?
Dolorosissimo rileggere la propria vita alla luce del senno di poi.
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December 21, 20187.0/10
Is this a counterpoint to James's Daisy Miller, I wonder?
Written roughly around the same time, it provides an obverse view: whereas the flibberty-gibbet Daisy meets an untimely end, The General (for I don't believe we ever learn his name?) goes on to live a life of some regret. The careful, choosy, circumspect General is the inverse of the free-spirited Daisy.
It was about as enjoyable as reading Daisy Miller, in bas-relief.
Is this a counterpoint to James's Daisy Miller, I wonder?
Written roughly around the same time, it provides an obverse view: whereas the flibberty-gibbet Daisy meets an untimely end, The General (for I don't believe we ever learn his name?) goes on to live a life of some regret. The careful, choosy, circumspect General is the inverse of the free-spirited Daisy.
It was about as enjoyable as reading Daisy Miller, in bas-relief.
September 22, 2025
La obra de James que me ha hecho ver con más claridad que el tema fundamental de toda su narrativa es el cotilleo.
December 2, 2025
לסקירה מפורטת בעברית, קישור לבלוג שלי -
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/יומנ...
https://sivi-the-avid-reader.com/יומנ...
January 10, 2015
This is not a novel: it is a short story from a time (1879) when a story could be 37 pages and still be considered short.
I read it after it got a favorable blurb in the blog Brain Pickings, which caused me to navigate over to the Kindle store and snag my free copy.
Brain Pickings, like many new media outlets, seems to have realized that nothing attracts the page views like a well-written bit of optimistic sentiment, so we get as part of their recommendation this uncharacteristically sunny sentiment from the pen of The Master:
I’m here to tell you now that the previous bit of sunny sentiment is immediately followed by a devastating “but”, specifically:
I love James and this is a great story, but -- as usual with my first read-through of a James story -- a great fat “Say What?" issued from my greasy lips when I reached the final word. Since then, I have discovered that several very clever people have reached wildly different interpretations of what we are supposed to make of this curious story. So I don't feel so bad about not really being sure what the heck this great slab of ambiguous prose is supposed to be about, except I have a sneaking suspicion that a heart-warming depiction of the bitter-sweet joys of middle-age was not Henry’s primary aim. Read it for yourself and decide.
This long short story is also available for free in a variety of formats from the Gutenberg Project, manybooks.net, and Alfalib.com. It is one story in a collection available from archive.org. You can download it as a .pdf file from Penn State University. There are other sources as well.
I read it after it got a favorable blurb in the blog Brain Pickings, which caused me to navigate over to the Kindle store and snag my free copy.
Brain Pickings, like many new media outlets, seems to have realized that nothing attracts the page views like a well-written bit of optimistic sentiment, so we get as part of their recommendation this uncharacteristically sunny sentiment from the pen of The Master:
I have led too serious a life; but that perhaps, after all, preserves one’s youth. At all events, I have travelled too far, I have worked too hard, I have lived in brutal climates and associated with tiresome people. When a man has reached his fifty-second year without being, materially, the worse for wear — when he has fair health, a fair fortune, a tidy conscience and a complete exemption from embarrassing relatives — I suppose he is bound, in delicacy, to write himself happy.
I’m here to tell you now that the previous bit of sunny sentiment is immediately followed by a devastating “but”, specifically:
But I confess I shirk this obligation. I have not been miserable; I won't go so far as to say that--or at least as to write it. But happiness--positive happiness--would have been something different.
I love James and this is a great story, but -- as usual with my first read-through of a James story -- a great fat “Say What?" issued from my greasy lips when I reached the final word. Since then, I have discovered that several very clever people have reached wildly different interpretations of what we are supposed to make of this curious story. So I don't feel so bad about not really being sure what the heck this great slab of ambiguous prose is supposed to be about, except I have a sneaking suspicion that a heart-warming depiction of the bitter-sweet joys of middle-age was not Henry’s primary aim. Read it for yourself and decide.
This long short story is also available for free in a variety of formats from the Gutenberg Project, manybooks.net, and Alfalib.com. It is one story in a collection available from archive.org. You can download it as a .pdf file from Penn State University. There are other sources as well.
March 5, 2017
Interesting novella in the form of diary entries. No way near as great as anything else by James that I have read, but worth exploring anyhow.
November 4, 2018
Rimpianto o rimorso?
Questo elegante racconto di James ne mette in chiaro la fondamentale differenza.
Questo elegante racconto di James ne mette in chiaro la fondamentale differenza.
October 25, 2025
Historia de un hombre que vuelve al lugar donde conoció al amor de su vida, aunque fue un romance frustrado. Ve el paralelismo entre la hija de su amada y un joven inglés con el que se siente identificado y asume que la frustración será similar.
A la historia le falta profundidad. Se queda en unas presunciones que no concluyen en nada. No sabemos si el protagonista se equivocó en su decisión. Todo queda en el aire al criterio del lector.
A la historia le falta profundidad. Se queda en unas presunciones que no concluyen en nada. No sabemos si el protagonista se equivocó en su decisión. Todo queda en el aire al criterio del lector.
October 4, 2018
La vita è fatta di svincoli, non ci sono insegne né cartelli e né tanto meno indicazioni, procediamo poiché è nella nostra natura, sbagliando sapendo che indietro non è possibile tornare. Per questo nella nostra marcia viviamo anche di rimorsi e di rimpianti.
November 7, 2020
«Não fui infeliz; não diria tanto - ou, pelo menos, não escreveria tanto. Mas a felicidade - a felicidade autêntica - teria sido algo diferente. (..)Ah, por que são azuis as montanhas e é quente a luz do sol? A felicidade mitigada por impertinentes conjecturas - eis a minha sina.»
March 15, 2016
http://librosleidosycomentados.blogsp...
goo.gl/ffh3aa “Nouvelle” escrita en 1880, en la que esta presente todo el sarcasmo y el misterio característicos de Henry James.
Estamos ante una novela, a modo de diario, que me hizo pensar mucho al acabarla y cuatro días después continuo dándole vueltas a lo que el autor nos quiere decir, si es que nos quiere decir algo o simplemente la narración esta ahí y no hay nada detrás, es el lector el que tiene que extraer sus conclusiones al leer este maravilloso relato.
Las características del hombre de cincuenta y dos años, militar de profesión, están bien reflejados en este párrafo “Sin lugar a dudas he viajado demasiado, trabajado demasiado duro, he vivido bajo climas rigurosos y me he relacionado con gente aburrida. Cuando un hombre llega a los cincuenta y dos años sin que se le vea muy deslucido -cuando goza de buena salud, buena fortuna, una conciencia limpia y una ausencia total de parientes embarazosos -, supongo que esta obligado, si posee sentido de la delicadeza, a describirse a si mismo como feliz
La historia se desarrolla en Florencia, nos presenta algunas reflexiones sobre su vida actual, porque no se caso, no tuvo hijos etc. y empieza a recordar y transitar por los lugares donde estuvo con una dama veintisiete años antes, pero nos lo presenta, en un principio, con una seguridad aplastante de que su comportamiento cuando estaba junto a ella y la decisión final que tomó, estuvieron fundamentadas y fue lo mejor, el recuerdo lo realiza de una manera racional, mesurada, sin ningún atisbo de arrepentimiento de haber obrado mal, aún escapandosele ápices de nostalgia. “....El lugar estaba completamente vacio: es decir estaba lleno de ella.”
Nos presenta a dos condesas italianas (madre e hija), interesadas, manipuladoras, coquetas, pero, o quizá por ello, inteligentes (muy de Henry James) “¿Esta casado?. -No, signora contessa. (…..) -¿Parezco muy infeliz? Ella inclino la cabeza ligeramente a un lado. -¡Para ser inglés, no!”, con mala suerte en el amor, duelos de por medio, y son las que convierten esta historia en algo extrañamente singular, se puede entender (esto lo digo yo), que son una misma persona, en dos épocas diferentes, con dos destinos opuestos.
Aparece también un joven ingles como nexo entre ese recuerdo y los personajes reales que todavía viven y son protagonistas de la historia anterior, y digo que son protagonistas, más que por ser la hija, porque se vuelven a dar las circunstancias con una analogía total, viéndose que el joven bien podría ser el alter ego del hombre mayor, entregado sin reservas a las virtudes de la condesa, y de ahí ese paternalismo que demuestra durante toda la novela, dándole consejos que le puedan ayudar a no caer en sus mismos errores.
Decía al principio, que el escritor juega con nosotros, en esta nueva simetría, el desenlace que se nos presenta nada tiene que ver con el anterior, es como si nos hubiera querido poner una novela con dos finales o como si nos diera a entender que la determinación de algunos de los dos no hubiera sido la correcta, decantándose de manera tacita, por la decisión en la que se obtuvo mayor felicidad. “Le pregunté si su esposa estaba allí. Tenia que hacerlo. - Oh, sí, está en otra de las salas. Venga conmigo a que se la presente; quiero que la conozca. -Se olvida de que yo ya la conozco. -Oh, no, no la conoce; nunca lo hizo... “
Quizá nos quiere decir...mover el pasado, lo único que hace es replantearte cosas que no tienen respuesta. O tal vez....un acto de cobardía, me impidió vivir una vida mas intensa.... La responsabilidad de proteger, me privo que me protegieran.... No se puede luchar contra el destino.... Y como así, podría estar mucho rato, les invito a que lo lean y saquen sus propias conclusiones.
goo.gl/ffh3aa “Nouvelle” escrita en 1880, en la que esta presente todo el sarcasmo y el misterio característicos de Henry James.
Estamos ante una novela, a modo de diario, que me hizo pensar mucho al acabarla y cuatro días después continuo dándole vueltas a lo que el autor nos quiere decir, si es que nos quiere decir algo o simplemente la narración esta ahí y no hay nada detrás, es el lector el que tiene que extraer sus conclusiones al leer este maravilloso relato.
Las características del hombre de cincuenta y dos años, militar de profesión, están bien reflejados en este párrafo “Sin lugar a dudas he viajado demasiado, trabajado demasiado duro, he vivido bajo climas rigurosos y me he relacionado con gente aburrida. Cuando un hombre llega a los cincuenta y dos años sin que se le vea muy deslucido -cuando goza de buena salud, buena fortuna, una conciencia limpia y una ausencia total de parientes embarazosos -, supongo que esta obligado, si posee sentido de la delicadeza, a describirse a si mismo como feliz
La historia se desarrolla en Florencia, nos presenta algunas reflexiones sobre su vida actual, porque no se caso, no tuvo hijos etc. y empieza a recordar y transitar por los lugares donde estuvo con una dama veintisiete años antes, pero nos lo presenta, en un principio, con una seguridad aplastante de que su comportamiento cuando estaba junto a ella y la decisión final que tomó, estuvieron fundamentadas y fue lo mejor, el recuerdo lo realiza de una manera racional, mesurada, sin ningún atisbo de arrepentimiento de haber obrado mal, aún escapandosele ápices de nostalgia. “....El lugar estaba completamente vacio: es decir estaba lleno de ella.”
Nos presenta a dos condesas italianas (madre e hija), interesadas, manipuladoras, coquetas, pero, o quizá por ello, inteligentes (muy de Henry James) “¿Esta casado?. -No, signora contessa. (…..) -¿Parezco muy infeliz? Ella inclino la cabeza ligeramente a un lado. -¡Para ser inglés, no!”, con mala suerte en el amor, duelos de por medio, y son las que convierten esta historia en algo extrañamente singular, se puede entender (esto lo digo yo), que son una misma persona, en dos épocas diferentes, con dos destinos opuestos.
Aparece también un joven ingles como nexo entre ese recuerdo y los personajes reales que todavía viven y son protagonistas de la historia anterior, y digo que son protagonistas, más que por ser la hija, porque se vuelven a dar las circunstancias con una analogía total, viéndose que el joven bien podría ser el alter ego del hombre mayor, entregado sin reservas a las virtudes de la condesa, y de ahí ese paternalismo que demuestra durante toda la novela, dándole consejos que le puedan ayudar a no caer en sus mismos errores.
Decía al principio, que el escritor juega con nosotros, en esta nueva simetría, el desenlace que se nos presenta nada tiene que ver con el anterior, es como si nos hubiera querido poner una novela con dos finales o como si nos diera a entender que la determinación de algunos de los dos no hubiera sido la correcta, decantándose de manera tacita, por la decisión en la que se obtuvo mayor felicidad. “Le pregunté si su esposa estaba allí. Tenia que hacerlo. - Oh, sí, está en otra de las salas. Venga conmigo a que se la presente; quiero que la conozca. -Se olvida de que yo ya la conozco. -Oh, no, no la conoce; nunca lo hizo... “
Quizá nos quiere decir...mover el pasado, lo único que hace es replantearte cosas que no tienen respuesta. O tal vez....un acto de cobardía, me impidió vivir una vida mas intensa.... La responsabilidad de proteger, me privo que me protegieran.... No se puede luchar contra el destino.... Y como así, podría estar mucho rato, les invito a que lo lean y saquen sus propias conclusiones.
August 3, 2015
Cortísimo, pero como es del tío Henry es un gustazo
July 20, 2025
La trama y el tratamiento narrativo, no me parecieron tan atractivos, pero probablemente se deba a la fecha de publicación original: 1880. La narración se siente muy barroca y lenta. Se antoja muy antigua.
Un hombre de más de 50 años conoce a la hija de quien fuera el amor de su vida (de quien terminó huyendo pues no era una "buena mujer"). Y también conoce al enamorado de la hija. Inevitablemente, transfiere todo su pasado a la joven pareja. E intenta por todos los medios, "salvar" al enamorado de las garras de ella. En realidad, inconscientemente quiere salvarse a sí mismo.
La novela me decepcionó un poco porque siento que no cumple con el título. Imaginé una reflexión general de la vida de un cincuentenario, que sopesara todas sus vivencias. Pero no. Esta es la historia de una de sus relaciones amorosas, nada más.
Un hombre de más de 50 años conoce a la hija de quien fuera el amor de su vida (de quien terminó huyendo pues no era una "buena mujer"). Y también conoce al enamorado de la hija. Inevitablemente, transfiere todo su pasado a la joven pareja. E intenta por todos los medios, "salvar" al enamorado de las garras de ella. En realidad, inconscientemente quiere salvarse a sí mismo.
La novela me decepcionó un poco porque siento que no cumple con el título. Imaginé una reflexión general de la vida de un cincuentenario, que sopesara todas sus vivencias. Pero no. Esta es la historia de una de sus relaciones amorosas, nada más.
June 1, 2019
נחמד וקצר מדי, לא יותר מזה..
January 30, 2025
Un tentempié.
December 10, 2021
Racconto breve ma suggestivo, anche questo scritto splendidamente ma un po' meno scorrevole de "Il carteggio Aspern", per esempio.
La storia si segue con interesse e il mistero intorno ai personaggi regge per tutta la brevità del racconto. Peccato per le ultimissime righe un po' didascaliche.
La storia si segue con interesse e il mistero intorno ai personaggi regge per tutta la brevità del racconto. Peccato per le ultimissime righe un po' didascaliche.
January 12, 2014
Three things led me to this book: the title (being a man of fifty myself), it was free on my Kindle, and this quote.
QOTD
This is a short, quirky effort. I think it's only 50 pages or so. The book begins with a fun, clever misdirection. It starts out as a regular, old diary, and then N pages in he starts telling his story.
The story begins on April 5th, 1874 and has 50-something male written all over it. It's a nostalgic tale about a girl he used to know, a long-lost love. He's bending the ear of some young guy following the same path he did 25 years before. It's very light and fun. Meandering.
The twist at the end is one of the best parts. I sure get the feeling that, ultimately, Henry James is laughing at himself and the rest of us 50-somethings and our tall tales. I don't know, but it seems that way to me. "His happiness makes him clever. I hope it will last - I mean his cleverness, not his happiness."
Frowsy. Snort.
And one more...
QOTD
Very fun! A good read.
QOTD
When a man has reached his fifty-second year without being, materially, the worse for wear — when he has fair health, a fair fortune, a tidy conscience and a complete exemption from embarrassing relatives — I suppose he is bound, in delicacy, to write himself happy.
- Henry James, The Diary of a Man of Fifty, link
This is a short, quirky effort. I think it's only 50 pages or so. The book begins with a fun, clever misdirection. It starts out as a regular, old diary, and then N pages in he starts telling his story.
The story begins on April 5th, 1874 and has 50-something male written all over it. It's a nostalgic tale about a girl he used to know, a long-lost love. He's bending the ear of some young guy following the same path he did 25 years before. It's very light and fun. Meandering.
The twist at the end is one of the best parts. I sure get the feeling that, ultimately, Henry James is laughing at himself and the rest of us 50-somethings and our tall tales. I don't know, but it seems that way to me. "His happiness makes him clever. I hope it will last - I mean his cleverness, not his happiness."
Frowsy. Snort.
frowsy - scruffy and neglected in appearance
And one more...
QOTD
"I think half a dozen things," I said, "She's an enchantress. You shall hear the rest when we have left the church."
"An enchantress?" repeated Stanmer, looking at me askance.
He is a very simple youth, but who am I to blame him?
"A charmer," I said, "a fascinatress!"
- Henry James, The Diary of a Man of Fifty
Very fun! A good read.
May 8, 2018
Another Masterpiece
Typical of James, this is a story of a man haunted by his past, haunted by his inaction and cursed by his tendency to over analyze everything.
Typical of James, this is a story of a man haunted by his past, haunted by his inaction and cursed by his tendency to over analyze everything.
November 23, 2024
Ya había leído hace tiempo a Henry James en aquella espeluznante y genial obra que es "Otra vuelta de tuerca". Lo que leí ayer, en cambio, fue una novela corta en forma de diario que me confirma que James fue uno de los escritores más chingones que han existido.
Me resulta un texto muy íntimo que bien podría ser autobiográfico en el que un jóven (aún) Henry James de 35 años se proyecta en un hombre de 50 para visualizar, analizar y reflexionar sobre lo que hubiera sido su vida si hubiera tomado otras decisiones.
Imagínate, un tipo de 50 años regresa a Florencia atraído por el recuerdo de una mujer a la que amó media vida atrás y a la que abandonó porque le traía, más que felicidad, un desmadre emocional (que me da la impresión de que la mayor parte se lo creó el mismo. ¿Suena familiar, no? 🥲). Bueno, durante esa visita conoce a un jóven que, casualmente, anda cortejando a la hija de aquella mujer abandonada y él se ve a si mismo en ese jóven, cual dejávu. Obviamente, el trata de persuadir al jóven para que abandone la idea de casarse con esa chica que es, no solo el vivo retrato de su madre, sino que tienen la misma personalidad "peligrosa".
El jóven termina por ignorar las advertencias y obedece a su instinto casándose con la jóven. Y, ¿Qué crees? El jóven fue feliz.
Aquí es donde el genio de James me voló la cabeza porque la reflexión que deriva del análisis psicológico de situaciones y personajes es tan simple como inesperada. Es un verdadero ejercicio de introspección.
" ¿No habrá sido quizá un error? ¿Fui demasiado prudente, demasiado suspicaz, demasiado lógico? ¿Fue la pobre mujer muy infeliz? Si yo estropeé su felicidad, es seguro que tampoco hice la mía. Y podría haberla hecho, ¿verdad? ¡Qué descubrimiento tan encantador para un hombre de mi edad...!"
Chulada 💙
Me resulta un texto muy íntimo que bien podría ser autobiográfico en el que un jóven (aún) Henry James de 35 años se proyecta en un hombre de 50 para visualizar, analizar y reflexionar sobre lo que hubiera sido su vida si hubiera tomado otras decisiones.
Imagínate, un tipo de 50 años regresa a Florencia atraído por el recuerdo de una mujer a la que amó media vida atrás y a la que abandonó porque le traía, más que felicidad, un desmadre emocional (que me da la impresión de que la mayor parte se lo creó el mismo. ¿Suena familiar, no? 🥲). Bueno, durante esa visita conoce a un jóven que, casualmente, anda cortejando a la hija de aquella mujer abandonada y él se ve a si mismo en ese jóven, cual dejávu. Obviamente, el trata de persuadir al jóven para que abandone la idea de casarse con esa chica que es, no solo el vivo retrato de su madre, sino que tienen la misma personalidad "peligrosa".
El jóven termina por ignorar las advertencias y obedece a su instinto casándose con la jóven. Y, ¿Qué crees? El jóven fue feliz.
Aquí es donde el genio de James me voló la cabeza porque la reflexión que deriva del análisis psicológico de situaciones y personajes es tan simple como inesperada. Es un verdadero ejercicio de introspección.
" ¿No habrá sido quizá un error? ¿Fui demasiado prudente, demasiado suspicaz, demasiado lógico? ¿Fue la pobre mujer muy infeliz? Si yo estropeé su felicidad, es seguro que tampoco hice la mía. Y podría haberla hecho, ¿verdad? ¡Qué descubrimiento tan encantador para un hombre de mi edad...!"
Chulada 💙
January 5, 2026
"Il diario di un uomo di cinquanta anni" H. James: 6
Un uomo di 52 anni ripercorre letteralmente il viale dei ricordi realizzando a posteriori di essere stato un coglione e aver sputato in faccia alla felicità nel timore infondato di venire perculato dalla sua bella.
Firenze 1874
Un 52enne inglese torna a Firenze per riscoprire le emozioni e gli affetti legati alla sua giovinezza con la sua innamorata, la bellissima Contessa Salvi vedova Scarabelli vedova Vattelapesca. Qui scopre che la donna è morta da dieci anni e approfitta dell'occasione per conoscere la figlia del primo matrimonio di lei, Bianca Salvi. Nell'albergo dove dimora incontra un giovane inglese che fa la corte a Bianca quindi il protagonista si sente in diritto di sconsigliare la relazione al suo nuovo amico in virtù delle similitudini con il suo vissuto. Il cinquantenne, dopo un breve colloquio, giudica infatti la giovane interessata, superficiale e pericolosa come la madre quindi avverte il ragazzo di prenderne le distanze riportando la sua esperienza come verità assoluta valida anche per lui. 27 anni prima infatti il protagonista e la contessa erano innamorati, ma lui, sospettando un tradimento di lei con un altro uomo, senza alcuna prova, la sfancula e se ne va. Quando 27 anni dopo la figlia gli assicura che la madre era del tutto onesta e sincera e che con la sua decisione del cazzo ha condannato entrambi all'infelicità, finalmente realizza di essere stato un coglione. Il giovane inglese decide per fortuna di non ascoltare i consigli di un estraneo impiccione e prevenuto e sposa la bella Bianca coronando il loro sogno d'amore e infliggendo un altro schiaffo morale al deficiente.
Un uomo di 52 anni ripercorre letteralmente il viale dei ricordi realizzando a posteriori di essere stato un coglione e aver sputato in faccia alla felicità nel timore infondato di venire perculato dalla sua bella.
Firenze 1874
Un 52enne inglese torna a Firenze per riscoprire le emozioni e gli affetti legati alla sua giovinezza con la sua innamorata, la bellissima Contessa Salvi vedova Scarabelli vedova Vattelapesca. Qui scopre che la donna è morta da dieci anni e approfitta dell'occasione per conoscere la figlia del primo matrimonio di lei, Bianca Salvi. Nell'albergo dove dimora incontra un giovane inglese che fa la corte a Bianca quindi il protagonista si sente in diritto di sconsigliare la relazione al suo nuovo amico in virtù delle similitudini con il suo vissuto. Il cinquantenne, dopo un breve colloquio, giudica infatti la giovane interessata, superficiale e pericolosa come la madre quindi avverte il ragazzo di prenderne le distanze riportando la sua esperienza come verità assoluta valida anche per lui. 27 anni prima infatti il protagonista e la contessa erano innamorati, ma lui, sospettando un tradimento di lei con un altro uomo, senza alcuna prova, la sfancula e se ne va. Quando 27 anni dopo la figlia gli assicura che la madre era del tutto onesta e sincera e che con la sua decisione del cazzo ha condannato entrambi all'infelicità, finalmente realizza di essere stato un coglione. Il giovane inglese decide per fortuna di non ascoltare i consigli di un estraneo impiccione e prevenuto e sposa la bella Bianca coronando il loro sogno d'amore e infliggendo un altro schiaffo morale al deficiente.
February 5, 2025
Il Diario di un uomo di cinquant’anni è un racconto dello scrittore statunitense Henry James. Il protagonista – un borghese inglese, l’uomo di cinquant’anni che compare nel titolo – ritorna dopo venticinque anni a Firenze, città dalla quale si era allontanato in seguito all’interruzione di una storia d’amore con una seducente fanciulla. Storia d’amore che, a parer suo, gli avrebbe causato solo sofferenza e infelicità.
Nella città toscana incontra un giovane uomo in una situazione analoga a quella da lui vissuta, e ad aumentare la somiglianza è il fatto che la fanciulla è la figlia del suo amore perduto. Desideroso di scongiurare il ripetersi della sua storia e di evitare al giovane amico di sperimentare la sua stessa sofferenza, l’uomo ripercorre la sua vita, e quel che ne emerge è il vivido ritratto di un uomo di mezza età e dei suoi sogni, dei suoi rimorsi, dei suoi successi e dei suoi rimpianti.
Tra i primi racconti dello scrittore, ‘Il Diario di un uomo di cinquant’anni’ contiene già i temi che saranno ricorrenti nella poetica di James, come la distanza e il contrasto tra la vecchia Europa e la nuova America e il conflitto interiore all’individuo. La lettura è affidata da il Narratore all’attore Mario Massari.
Nella città toscana incontra un giovane uomo in una situazione analoga a quella da lui vissuta, e ad aumentare la somiglianza è il fatto che la fanciulla è la figlia del suo amore perduto. Desideroso di scongiurare il ripetersi della sua storia e di evitare al giovane amico di sperimentare la sua stessa sofferenza, l’uomo ripercorre la sua vita, e quel che ne emerge è il vivido ritratto di un uomo di mezza età e dei suoi sogni, dei suoi rimorsi, dei suoi successi e dei suoi rimpianti.
Tra i primi racconti dello scrittore, ‘Il Diario di un uomo di cinquant’anni’ contiene già i temi che saranno ricorrenti nella poetica di James, come la distanza e il contrasto tra la vecchia Europa e la nuova America e il conflitto interiore all’individuo. La lettura è affidata da il Narratore all’attore Mario Massari.
January 3, 2024
Written in a diary form, an unnamed gentlemen recounts a past love affair with a Countess to his English friend while vacationing in Florence. Seeing the young lad shares an air of similarities to himself in his youth, the gentleman tries to be advisable on the subject of love and risk taking.
I have not read any works from Henry James, and usually classics are not to my taste. But this short story proves me wrong, as I found it enjoyable. The narrator has good intentions on giving advice to his friend, he is also very unintentionally humorous with moments of bluster in the dialogue. Our lead revealed he was quite hesitant on being forward with the Countess and ultimately escapes to the army rather than go face the woman who both perplexed and attracted him. At 50 years old, he now contemplates what his life would've been like had he done some things differently. And I guess this is the main gist of this short story, a bachelor who looks back on his cherished highlights, pondering what choices made him do what he did. All the while, he learns from his young friend that there is much still to learn about life and the pursuit of happiness.
I have not read any works from Henry James, and usually classics are not to my taste. But this short story proves me wrong, as I found it enjoyable. The narrator has good intentions on giving advice to his friend, he is also very unintentionally humorous with moments of bluster in the dialogue. Our lead revealed he was quite hesitant on being forward with the Countess and ultimately escapes to the army rather than go face the woman who both perplexed and attracted him. At 50 years old, he now contemplates what his life would've been like had he done some things differently. And I guess this is the main gist of this short story, a bachelor who looks back on his cherished highlights, pondering what choices made him do what he did. All the while, he learns from his young friend that there is much still to learn about life and the pursuit of happiness.
July 20, 2022
Con un diario relatado y entretenido, Henry James nos presenta una historia con tintes misteriosos, ironía y romanticismo. Y todo ello, con la belleza de Florencia de fondo. Esta novela, nunca antes publicada en español, relata el regreso del protagonista después de 25 años a Florencia, ciudad donde tiene lugar una historia de amor frustrada con la condesa Salvi. Allí conocerá al joven Stanmer, quien le recuerda mucho a sí mismo por vivir un romance con la hija de la Condesa Salvi. Entre ellos surgirá una amistad y un diálogo sobre el amor, el pasado, la felicidad y la personalidad de la joven Condesa, tan parecida a su madre. Me ha parecido una novela corta muy entretenida, que se lee enseguida, bastante redonda, perfecta para combinar lecturas y para iniciarse en el mundo de Henry James. Si nunca habéis leído a este escritor, os recomiendo empezar por aquí.
November 13, 2021
Henry James is one of the best novelists if you are wanting to learn about relations between the sexes, or simply enjoy reading about them. There are 55 novellas by him on gutenberg.com. The problem is that not all of them are worth reading, and you may waste time on these if you have no idea which are good. So I have set myself the task of reading them all and rating each one in my facebook group 'Henry James' (at https://www.facebook.com/groups/43528...). I've already got through 9 of them, including 3 duds. I cordially invite all readers to join this group.
July 10, 2019
הרבה פוטנציאל, שלא מתממש. הרקע של הסיפור מצוין, והרעיון הכללי לא רע. אבל הביצוע משמים. הדמוית פועלות באופן לא אמין, והדיאלוגים שלהם לא נשמעים הגיוניים או סבירים. למה שני אנשים שלא סומכים אחד על השני מתעקשים להמשיך ולדבר? בוודאי כאשר מדובר בשני זרים?
אני מבין את הרעיון הכללי של הסופר, הניסיון להשלים/לקבל את העובדה שאולי עשית טעות בצעירותך, ובגלל פרשנות שגויה הסבת לעצמך סבל מיותר. זה רעיון ממש מעניין. אבל לא הועבר היטב בעיני.
אני מבין את הרעיון הכללי של הסופר, הניסיון להשלים/לקבל את העובדה שאולי עשית טעות בצעירותך, ובגלל פרשנות שגויה הסבת לעצמך סבל מיותר. זה רעיון ממש מעניין. אבל לא הועבר היטב בעיני.
Read
September 23, 2023I found this in the foreign language section of a book sale and picked it up because it was short and seemed like it was within my reading level. The plot was boring and repetitive so I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed it had I read it in English, but I managed to learn some new vocab from this book. I also thought it was ironic that as an American looking to expand my horizons and read spanish speaking authors in their native language I landed on a translation of an English book.
September 21, 2021
Está bien, pero nada impresionante. No és lo que yo pensaba que sería. Ha estado interesante ese ultimo giro en la trama, pero no sé. Muy pesimista este hombre. Si es que yo no acabo de encontrarme en las obras de Henry James... Por lo menos en lo poco que he leído. Espero encontrar alguna que me enamore, porque hasta ahora ni fu ni fa, me deja algo fria 😔
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