After reading Colm's novel, "Brooklyn", I was very interested in reading something else of his, so I chose this novel. It is possibly the only novel that I have ever read that has been so thoroughly researched by an author, he listed EVERY book he read on the entire James family.
I am not sure that I would have found Henry a very nice person, one of America's best writers of his time, although he chose to live abroad in England, Paris, Rome and Venice.
Henry was born into a very wealthy family 20 years before the American Civil War, rubbing shoulders with many of America's most intellectual names in our country's history, maintaining relationships with most throughout his life, but not necessarily being friends with them.
One person in particular became a very "dear" friend of his, Constance Fenimore Woolson (niece of James Fenimore Cooper). More about Constance in another blog.
Colm's portrayal of Henry James is extremely well-done, showing a self-absorbed, lonely, sometimes intolerant figure. It was a great tragedy when his friend, Constance, died, yet Henry refused (much to the consternation of his friends) to attend her funeral. Henry chose a most bizarre way to dispose of Constance's clothes, and this event sheds an unusually disturbing personality trait.
With all of Henry's faults, he still stands out as an excellent writer. I did enjoy this book very much, and have already handed it off to a library patron, will be interesting to hear her thoughts on the book.
Hope you will consider it.
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