The American

By: Henry James

Narrated by: Adam Sims

Self-made American millionaire Christopher Newman arrives in Paris brimming with hope and optimism, excited to experience the culture and, hopefully, find the perfect woman to become his wife. After a chance encounter with American expatriate friends, his attention is drawn to Madame de Cintré, 25-year-old widowed daughter of the late Marquis de Bellegarde.

Having fallen on hard times, the centuries-old aristocratic family permits Newman's courtship to proceed; however, they later persuade the widow to break off her engagement to the nouveau-riche businessman. When Newman finds himself in possession of a dark secret that threatens to destroy the Bellegarde family, he must decide whether to keep to his principles or exact his revenge.

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2020 Naxos Audiobooks

A Very Good Tale

I’ve not read/experienced much James.

I had the impression of long sentences and complex plots. Instead this was a sad and intriguing story. Rather straightforward. With few strange twists and turns. Whenever the possibility showed up, James resisted.

The characters were well drawn.

I look forward to more.

The narrative was very well read.

Nothing really outstanding along the lines of the world’s best novelists. But satisfying, very good.

Best of James’s early novels

Midway through the novel this one becomes uncharacteristically melodramatic but then James resolves the story in his more usual manner. I loved it. Adam Sims, as others have commented, is an ideal narrator of James.

Fantastic all around

Incredible writing, incredible performance.

And it says that I need 11 more words. Beep boop.

Classic Henry James

A thoroughly great book from beginning to end. I was surprised by the Victorian/Gothic component which is reminiscent of Wilkie Collins. Of course, James stay true to himself and his main character by artfully weaving the genres (and cultural elements) together to create one of his best novels.
A particular point of enjoyment was the secondary character of Mrs. Tristram. She's becomes the hero"s confidant. She is a rather bitter woman who is quite the pot-stirrer. Every novel needs one. A life of unfulfilled dreams makes her far from admirable; yet, after concluding the story, against my better nature, I found my own own wishes aligning with hers -but I wouldn't have changed the ending for the world!

A Feast for the Ears

A finely rendered portrait of a past age. While I was immersed in the audiobook, It was difficult to not annoy my friends with phrases of precise, pointed prose. The narration was excellent. The characters were given sufficiently distinct voices without being distracting or melodramatic.