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Title details for The Aspern Papers by Henry James - Available

The Aspern Papers

by Henry James
Robin Field
Audiobook
3 of 3 copies available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
3 of 3 copies available

Set in a crumbling Venetian villa, The Aspern Papers is a story about the heart's romantic ambitions and the pragmatic methods we use to pursue them. An American editor arrives in Venice on a quest to acquire some unpublished letters written by his favorite Romantic poet, Jeffrey Aspern. He tracks down the mistress to whom the letters were addressed, a now elderly Miss Bordereau, and presents himself as a prospective lodger. In hopes of gaining access to the secret papers, he begins courting Miss Bordereau's plain spinster niece, Miss Tina. As his obsessive mission leads him into increasingly unscrupulous behavior, he finds that his desire can be obtained only at the price of his honor. Written with taut suspense and brilliant insight into complex human motivations, The Aspern Papers is one of Henry James' most acclaimed stories.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    April 20, 2009

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781481545204
      • File size: 124852 KB
      • Duration: 04:20:06

  • Languages

    • English

  • Levels

    • Text Difficulty: 9-12

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Henry James sets his novella of irony and suspense in the decaying splendor of a Venetian palazzo. Grover Gardner's diction is immaculate. His voice is elegant. He controls his energy so that one never tires of hearing him. As the story builds, he does not dramatize the plot; he simply reads what is on the page and the listener colors in the scene. The narrative is a well done exercise for imagination. Appreciation for the full text of this work makes a powerful case for dedication to unabridged recordings. J.P. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      One of the masterpieces of James's middle period, this novella tells of a critic who is searching for the love letters of Jeffrey Aspern, a famous poet, in Venice. Modeled after Shelley, Aspern reportedly had relations with a Miss Bordereau, now old, who lives in a decrepit palace. To gain her trust, the editor first becomes her lodger, then develops a friendship with her niece. Jonathan Epstein's voice fits well with the text, but he narrates a bit too quickly, making it hard to appreciate all the subtleties of the writing. Yet his reading, full of grace and understatement, brings out James's artful portrayal of these characters and puts his perfectly crafted prose in high relief. K.M. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine
    • AudioFile Magazine
      A plot, according to some critics, starts with a person with a problem. The unnamed narrator of this classic, ably narrated by Adam Sims, doesn't even know what his real problem is. Sims brings to life the protagonist's pursuit of some papers concerning the fictional poet Jeffrey Aspern, revealing along the way just how unaware he is of the effects of his actions on those around him. There is a considerable challenge in portraying a character who only inches toward self-awareness. Sims makes him sound young, callow, and almost--but not quite--likable. The narrator's treatment of Tita Bordereau is callous, but Sims makes clear just who gains and who loses from the connection. D.M.H. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Text Difficulty:9-12

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