The Real Thing and Other Stories

By: Henry James

Narrated by: Jeremy Northam

Illusion and love - two of James' favourite things - grin thorough this collection of funny and wicked tales. The illusion of social class, a favourite stamping ground for James, is explored in the glittering social comedy "The Real Thing", first published in 1892, in which an artist attempts vainly to capture the nature of aristocracy via painting what he takes to be 'real' members of that social group.

In "Broken Wings", the question of whether lovers ever settle down gets the James examination. Greville Fane gleefully teases the world of Barbara Cartland- type romantic fiction, and in "Four Meetings" we get a taste of that distant, slightly chilly, but extraordinary passion that Henry James perfected.

With his usual mix of femme fatales, self-deprecating writers and social climbers running riot around Europe, this collection provides some prime examples of James' extraordinary skill in creating complete worlds for the listener in snapshot glimpses.

Public Domain (P)2008 Silksoundbooks Limited

With this I learned to love Henry James

Thank you Jeremy Northam for narrating "The Real Thing" in such a masterful way that I came to appreciate the beauty of Henry James' style. Highly recommended, especially if you want to give James another try.

Jeremy Northam's perfection

"The Real Thing" isn't my favorite Henry James story. but I highly recommend this narrator reading the much more interesting "The Aspern Papers" by the same author.