The Real Thing and Other Tales

More about the book

Exploring the tension between reality and illusion, this short story features an illustrator who finds that authenticity is detrimental to his work. Set against a backdrop of societal expectations, it examines the complexities of representation in art, highlighting the struggles of individuals caught in a world where genuine experiences become entangled with commercial demands. Through its parabolic narrative, the story reflects Henry James's fascination with the blurred lines between truth and artifice, making it a thought-provoking read.