Comments on: Henry James: The Coxon Fund

By: Trevor

Trevor — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:42:51 +0000

Ahhh, I see on your blog that you agree with my last statement. Good luck!

By: Trevor

Trevor — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:42:17 +0000

Thanks for the tip, Kirk. I haven’t bought a Library of America book yet because I don’t like the covers. However, thanks to your pointer, I see that they are a treasure trove.

Besides that, though, I had no idea James produced so much. It would be great, someday, to have gone through it all. Thanks again!

By: Kirk McElhearn

Kirk McElhearn — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:30:25 +0000

Henry’s short stories – or “tales” – are, for the most part, excellent. The Library of America editions – 5 volumes, each around 900 pages – contain all the stories, and are full of unknown wonders.

By: Isabel

Isabel — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:55:11 +0000

Interesting plot line. In most of James’ world, you feel the wealth (or sometimes lack of it-poor relative who is pitied), but this seems to come close to the actual drama behind the money.

By: Nadia

Nadia — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:28:32 +0000

The only Henry James novel I have enjoyed is The Ambassadors – it was actually quite a fun novel to read. Not sure if I am really tempted to read any of his other work – have attempted to read Portrait of a Lady once and that is about it. Perhaps one of his shorter works is the trick to getting into his work.

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:22:42 +0000

I do love them both — so much that I don’t want to name a favorite (besides, it would change depending on how I feel that day). I had not heard of The Coxon Fund either and it is on its way. After this review, I certainly look forward to it.

One trait that James and Wharton share is that they both excel at short stories, novellas and longer works — something that few modern authors can claim. Unlike Tony, I very much like James’ (and Wharton’s) longer novels, although I’ll admit they may be too abstract for some. For me, they are about as good as fiction can get.

The New York Review of Books has put out editions of both James and Wharton New York stories that you should look out for, Trevor. Not to read all at once, but to dip into periodically.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:43:27 +0000

Ah Tony, I hope KFC comes on here and offers his opinion — I know he loves them both. I have never read one of James’s novels, though I have a few of them tempting me from the shelves. I am a bit nervous I’ll find them a bit too dense. I guess I’m waiting for the day when the stars are alined and I just know it’s time. And I only encountered Edith Wharton this year with The Age of Innocence. It’s frankly difficult to imagine anyone writing so well, but I’ve liked all of James’s short fiction I’ve read. We’ll see!

By: Tony S.

Tony S. — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:38:10 +0000

I must say that Henry James is the author I’ve had the most trouble with over the years. I’ve appreciated a few of his shorter novels like “Washington Square” and “The Aspern Papers”. But whenever I try to read one of his four last large novels (including “Portrait of a Lady” and “The Golden Bowl”) which are supposed to be his towering achievements, I find the going very difficult, thick, and not worth the effort. I much prefer Edith Wharton as a writer.