Author(s): Henry James (Author), Jean Strouse (Introduction)
Publisher: NYRB Classics
Publication Date: March 31, 2002
Edition: Main
Language: English
Print length: 208 pages
ISBN-10: 1590170008
ISBN-13: 9781590170007
Book Description
The Outcry Main Edition, Henry James’s final novel, is an effervescent comedy of money and manners. Breckenridge Bender, a very rich American with a distinct resemblance to J.P. Morgan, arrives in England with the purpose of acquiring some very great art; he is directed to Dedborough, the estate of the debt-ridden Lord Theign. But plutocrat and aristocrat come into unexpected conflict when a young connoisseur, out to establish his own reputation, declares a prize painting from the lord’s collection to be in fact an even rarer, and pricier, work than had been thought.
A popular success in its own day, but long unavailable since and now almost unknown,
The Outcry Main Edition is one of the most surprising and amusing of James’s works. Here he explores questions of privilege and initiative, repute and honor, high art and base calculation, revisiting some of his favorite themes with a deft and winning touch.
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
In The Other House (1896), James presents a man who is sought after by three women. He attempts to please them all but in so doing sacrifices his relationship with his young daughter. The Outcry (1911) is James’s last novel and long unavailable. He pokes fun at the upper crust in the form of both a wealthy American scouring England for art and a down-on-his-luck British lord looking to separate the Yank from as much of his cash as possible. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
“The story is told with all Mr. James’ delicate humor and gift for keen analysis.” —Booklist “The subject…has been handled with ingenuity, not without humor, with a fine effect of sharpness and perspicacity. That is Mr. James’s way. There are many fine phrases, crisply expressive, admirable flashes.” —The New York Times “If you thought you knew all the books of Henry James, think again— this one, James’ last, is largely unknown because it’s been out of print since its original publication in 1911. God knows why, though — it’s a delightful, surprisingly light-hearted take on James’ favorite topic, the clash of cultures…” —mobylives.com
About the Author
Henry James (1843–1916), the younger brother of the psychologist William James and one of the greatest of American writers, was born in New York but lived for most of his life in England. Among the best known of his many stories and novels are The Portrait of a Lady, The Turn of the Screw, and The Wings of the Dove. In addition to The New York Stories of Henry James, New York Review Classics has published several long-unavailable James novels: The Other House, The Outcry, andThe Ivory Tower.
Jean Strouse is the author of
Alice James, A Biography andMorgan, American Financier. A Fellow of the MacArthur Foundation, she lives in New York City.
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