Join us on a literary world trip!
Add this book to bookshelf
Grey
Write a new comment Default profile 50px
Grey
Subscribe to read the full book or read the first pages for free!
I want to read the book!
All characters reduced
The Real Thing and Other Tales - Enriched edition - cover

The Real Thing and Other Tales - Enriched edition

Henry James

Publisher: DigiCat

  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Summary

In "The Real Thing and Other Tales," Henry James presents a nuanced exploration of perception and reality through a collection of stories that deftly intertwine psychological depth with social critique. The titular tale, along with others in the anthology, showcases James's hallmark style characterized by intricate prose and rich character development. Set against the backdrop of 19th-century America and Europe, these narratives reveal the complexities of identity and the nature of authenticity, often through the lens of artistic endeavor and the tensions between appearance and substance. Henry James, an American expatriate and a pivotal figure in literary realism, draws from his sophisticated understanding of the transatlantic cultural exchange. Experiencing life in both America and Europe, James's perspective deeply informs his examination of class, aesthetics, and the evolving notions of success in a rapidly modernizing world. His acute psychological insight and his earlier involvement in literary and artistic circles illuminate the struggles of his characters, offering a profound commentary on social dynamics. This collection is highly recommended for readers interested in the intricacies of human relationships and the struggle for authenticity in an increasingly commodified world. James's masterful storytelling invites readers to ponder the 'real' amid the shifting sands of perception, making these tales not only pertinent but essential for understanding the cultural fabric of his time.

In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:
- A comprehensive Introduction outlines these selected works' unifying features, themes, or stylistic evolutions.
- The Author Biography highlights personal milestones and literary influences that shape the entire body of writing.
- A Historical Context section situates the works in their broader era—social currents, cultural trends, and key events that underpin their creation.
- A concise Synopsis (Selection) offers an accessible overview of the included texts, helping readers navigate plotlines and main ideas without revealing critical twists.
- A unified Analysis examines recurring motifs and stylistic hallmarks across the collection, tying the stories together while spotlighting the different work's strengths.
- Reflection questions inspire deeper contemplation of the author's overarching message, inviting readers to draw connections among different texts and relate them to modern contexts.
- Lastly, our hand‐picked Memorable Quotes distill pivotal lines and turning points, serving as touchstones for the collection's central themes.
Available since: 06/13/2022.
Print length: 165 pages.

Other books that might interest you

  • The Art of War and The Invisible Man - cover

    The Art of War and The Invisible...

    H. G. Wells, Sun Tzu

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Audiobook Two-Pack: The Art of War & The Invisible Man (Storm Edition) 
Unlock strategy and suspense in one immersive bundle. 
 
This exclusive digital collection pairs two timeless classics in a uniquely atmospheric listening experience: 
 
The Art of War by Sun Tzu Narrated with crisp clarity and meditative pacing, this ancient Chinese treatise on military strategy and leadership remains essential for thinkers, leaders, and tacticians. Whether you're navigating boardrooms or battlefields, Sun Tzu’s wisdom offers timeless guidance on discipline, deception, and decisive action. 
 
The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells — Storm Edition Experience Wells’ chilling tale of science gone awry with a haunting twist: ambient thunderstorms underscore the descent into madness. As the mysterious Griffin grapples with isolation and power, the rumble of distant thunder and pattering rain heighten every moment of suspense and dread.
    Show book
  • Child's Story The (Unabridged) - cover

    Child's Story The (Unabridged)

    Charles Dickens

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Everyone begins life's journey as a child. From one of the world's most beloved writers comes this memorable parable of life's transitions. Originally published by Charles Dickens in the mid-1800s, The Child's Story is a timeless account of the journey we all take, from carefree childhood and spontaneous youth, through adulthood and marriage, and into our golden years. Now, almost 150 years after its original publication, acclaimed artist Harvey Chan adds his stirring images to Dickens's classic words, creating a unique and powerful reading experience that's ideal for children of all ages.
    Show book
  • The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle - cover

    The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle

    Arthur Conan Doyle

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle is one of 56 short Sherlock Holmes stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the seventh story of twelve in the collection The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. It was first published in Strand Magazine in January 1892.As London prepares for Christmas, newspapers report the theft of the near-priceless gemstone, the "Blue Carbuncle", from the hotel suite of the Countess of Morcar. John Horner, a plumber and a previously convicted felon, is soon arrested for the theft. Despite Horner's claims of innocence, the police are sure that they have their man. Horner's record, and his presence in the Countess's room where he was repairing a fireplace, are all the police need.Just after Christmas, Watson pays a visit to Holmes at 221B Baker Street. He finds the detective contemplating a battered old hat brought to him by the commissionaire, Peterson. Both the hat and a Christmas goose had been dropped by a man in a scuffle with some street ruffians. The honest Peterson had sought Holmes's help in returning the items to their owner but although the goose bears a tag with the owner's name—Henry Baker—based on the number of people with this name in London there is little hope of finding the man. Peterson takes the goose home for dinner, and Holmes keeps the hat to study as an intellectual exercise.Famous works of the author Arthur Conan Doyle's: "A Study in Scarlet", "Silver Blaze", "The Hound of the Baskervilles", "The Yellow Face", "A Scandal in Bohemia", "The Red-Headed League", A Case of Identity", "The Boscombe Valley Mystery", "The Five Orange Pips", "The Man with the Twisted Lip", "The Blue Carbuncle", "The Speckled Band", "The Engineer's Thumb", "The Noble Bachelor", "The Beryl Coronet", "The Copper Beeches" and many more.
    Show book
  • The Scratch Company - Story from 1912 by an American author and playwright - cover

    The Scratch Company - Story from...

    Anna Alice Chapin

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    The bookshelves of British literature are incredible collections that have gathered together centuries of very talented authors.  From these Isles their fame spread and whilst among their number many are now forgotten or neglected their talents endure.  Among them are the intriguing and tender narratives of Anna Alice Chapin.
    Show book
  • Candide Or Optimism - cover

    Candide Or Optimism

    Voltaire

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Join Candide on a wild ride through life! This young man believes the world is the best it can be, but guess what? The world has other plans. Torn from his cozy life, Candide embarks on a journey through palaces and battlefields, across continents and seas. He sees war, gets betrayed, loses everything, and yet he keeps searching for meaning and love. 
Voltaire, the master of wit, takes aim at blind faith and empty ideals. As Candide faces challenges and tests, we too are forced to confront the mysteries of fate and human nature. 
This audiobook brings Voltaire’s original text to life with clear and powerful narration. It’s not just about following Candide’s adventures -- it’s about grappling with his questions, sharing his laughter, and finding wisdom in his quiet conclusion.
    Show book
  • Champagne - cover

    Champagne

    Anton Chekhov

    • 0
    • 0
    • 0 
    Champagne is a short story by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, written in 1887.
The story is written in the first person. The young head of a remote railway stop lived with his wife and without children in solitude, amusing himself with vodka and watching passing trains.
Life was boring. One day before celebrating the New Year, he sat with his wife at the festive table, drank enough and thought about boredom. We waited for the clock to show the arrival of the New Year. At five minutes to twelve he uncorked the bottle, the cork flew out, and the bottle slipped out of his hands and fell to the floor. The wife greeted Happy New Year with frightened eyes. She knew that the falling bottle was a bad omen and meant that something bad would happen in the new year.
After arguing with his wife, the narrator left the house thinking that this had already happened to them, that the worst could not happen. He remembered his dead parents, how he was kicked out of the gymnasium, how he wandered around with nothing to do and friends. He did not love his wife; he married when he was still a boy.
Returning home, he saw his wife cheerful - "good aunt" Natalya Petrovna, the wife of the hero's wife's uncle, a woman of free behavior, came to them for three days. At dinner, "aunt" and "nephew" drank well, they became dizzy, and their romance began (a terrible, mad whirlwind). In this whirlwind, the hero loses his wife, mistress, and job. He asks "what else bad could happen to me?"
    Show book