An International Episode (Paperback)

Henry James

ISBN 10: 153087887X / ISBN 13: 9781530878871

Published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016

About this Item

Paperback. "Summer afternoon-summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." In An International Episode, Henry James introduces his readers to his bi-national world of love and nostalgia. Like in many of his novels, the book's main concern is about the interaction and the cultural differences between the Old World and the New World. Two British gentlemen visit the US and meet two beautiful American females who later return the visit in London. In addition to the romantic side of the story, the narrative focuses on social and cultural misunderstandings, faux pas and false friends, which makes the work very close to a comedy of manners. Being torn between his loyalty and love for his mother country and his longing for the European world of tradition and authenticity where he spent most of his life, James's work can be seen as an attempt to highlight the fundamental distinctions that separate the two cultures. Throughout the narrative and right before the sudden and unhelpful closing of the plot, the different characters are stereotypically presented; their manners, their social conventions, hypocrisy and prejudice are ironically highlighted, which makes of An International Episode an authentic reference that offers a balanced overview of British and American cultures and differences around the turn of the century. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781530878871

Bibliographic Details

• Title: An International Episode (Paperback)
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication Date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 153087887X
• ISBN 13: 9781530878871
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

"Summer afternoon-summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." In An International Episode, Henry James introduces his readers to his bi-national world of love and nostalgia. Like in many of his novels, the book's main concern is about the interaction and the cultural differences between the Old World and the New World. Two British gentlemen visit the US and meet two beautiful American females who later return the visit in London. In addition to the romantic side of the story, the narrative focuses on social and cultural misunderstandings, faux pas and false friends, which makes the work very close to a comedy of manners. Being torn between his loyalty and love for his mother country and his longing for the European world of tradition and authenticity where he spent most of his life, James's work can be seen as an attempt to highlight the fundamental distinctions that separate the two cultures. Throughout the narrative and right before the sudden and unhelpful closing of the plot, the different characters are stereotypically presented; their manners, their social conventions, hypocrisy and prejudice are ironically highlighted, which makes of An International Episode an authentic reference that offers a balanced overview of British and American cultures and differences around the turn of the century.

About the Author

American novelist, short-story writer, and man of letters, James is a major figure in the history of the novel. One of the pioneers of psychological realism and complex prose style, he holds a place as an unparalleled interpreter of the world of today.