Henry James Comes Home

The narrative centers on Henry James' transformative ten-month journey across the United States during the Gilded Age, as recounted by critic Peter Brooks. After years abroad, James returns to a rapidly changing America, exploring its diverse landscapes and cultures. His observations, which culminate in the ethnographic work "The American Scene," reveal his evolving perspective on American identity, materialism, and democracy. Brooks blends biography and literary criticism to highlight the lasting significance of James's insights in contemporary society.