Why Should We Read Henry James?

[oshima]

I just started the Turn of the Screw recently an its my first exposure to James. So far I'm just enamored with his craft; his prose excites me a titillates my palate so distinctly, and the way he presents a setting and almost imperceptibly adds dramatic tension has completely overshadowed the story itself. I do not care what will happen to this governess and her charges, I just want to read James description of it.

[Gladys]

I do not care what will happen to this governess and her charges, I just want to read James description of it.

Welcome to Henry James. I began with Washington Square (1880) a couple of years back and have not stopped. By comparison with the enchanting What Maisie Knew (1897), my last novel, and what I am presently reading of The Awkward Age (1899), the novella The Turn of the Screw (1898) is a comparatively easy read. Most of James' later novels tend to be slow and challenging reads. The grammar of sentences tends to be impenetrable until the last clause.

I should say that this and The Other House (1896) are the only two works of Henry James that I would scarcely recommend. The other dozen have been wonderful.