The Complete Notebooks of Henry James: The Authoritative and Definitive Edition

More about the book

The Complete Notebooks of Henry James offers an intimate glimpse into the creative process of America's master novelist. Edited by Leon Edel, James' acclaimed biographer, and Lyall H. Powers, this definitive volume includes the nine original scribbler-notebooks published in 1947, now updated with annotations that clarify the stories James developed and reveal the identities of notable Victorians he initially concealed. The editors have restored previously omitted sections and added over 20,000 words of new material, including James' pocket diaries, which capture his observations and ideas for fiction alongside personal reflections. The collection features dictated notes where James meditates on pivotal moments in his life and a story inspired by a passion murder involving an acquaintance in France. Additionally, it includes long-out-of-print statements for unfinished works like The Ivory Tower and The Sense of the Past, scenarios for unproduced plays, notes on financial matters, and his deathbed dictation. An appendix presents a significant fragment of Hugh Merrow, an incomplete story. Through these writings, we witness the artist's inner workings, making for an exhilarating reading experience.