Henry James and the Second Empire / Angus Wrenn.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wrenn, Angus James.

Series:

Studies in comparative literature (Oxford, England) ; 14.

Studies in comparative literature ; 14

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

James, Henry, 1843-1916--Knowledge and learning--French literature.

James, Henry.

James, Henry, 1843-1916.

French literature.

James, Henry, 1843-1916--Homes and haunts--France.

French literature--19th century--History and criticism.

James, Henry, 1843-1916--Criticism and interpretation.

Criticism and interpretation.

France.

Physical Description:

x, 199 pages ; 26 cm.

Place of Publication:

London : Legenda, 2009.

Summary:

Three years spent in France, during the 'Second Empire' of Napoleon III, gave Henry James an early mastery of the French language and its literature. When he settled in Europe, as an adult, it was not in Britain but, briefly yet crucially, in Paris. This study identifies the 'missing link' in the history of James's literary engagement with France, between Balzac, revered throughout his career, and later French writers. It was Second Empire writers who spurred James's own contribution to the novel. While realism courted official displeasure, culminating in the prosecution of Flaubert's Madame Bovary, and closure of the radical Revue de Paris which serialized it, the conservative Revue des Deux Mondes (to which James subscribed) enjoyed imperial approval. James remained indebted to the authors published in its pages-Edmond About, Victor Cherbuliez, and Octave Feuillet - to his close friend Paul Bourget, and to the era's greatest playwright, Alexandre Dumas fils.

Contents:

1 Introduction 1

2 Edmond About 28

3 Victor Cherbuliez 62

4 Octave Feuillet 99

5 Alexandre Dumas fils 124

6 Paul Bourget - Heir to the Second Empire 144

7 The Second Empire Revisited 159.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [189]-196) and index.

ISBN:

9781906540074

1906540071

OCLC:

229032014