Henry James has a reputation for being difficult, with some justification: his late novels, while rewarding, can be labyrinthine both in terms of style and psychology. But the stories and books from his earlier career are surprisingly approachable and entertaining. This course will put the Master back in the “good read” category through careful consideration of five of his narrative gems, some popular, a couple rather neglected. We’ll start with two of HJ’s rare commercial hits: Daisy Miller, the classic iteration of his famous “international theme”; and the enduring eeriness of The Turn of the Screw. Then it will be time to make the reverse journey across the Atlantic and join The Europeans in New England. The second half of the course will concentrate on what critic F.R. Leavis called “the two most brilliant novels in the language”: The Bostonians, with its amusing survey of “the American Scene,” and The Portrait of a Lady. In fact, we’ll spend two weeks on that last, beloved title, where James stakes his claim to be “the novelist of consciousness.” For all titles, the Penguin Classics edition is recommended.

Wednesdays | 6 classes: January 14, 21, 28; February 11, 25; and March 4 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
In person and simulcast