Book – The Aspern papers

Book – The Aspern papers
Author : Henry James

Score: 7/10

Year:  1888 (original) ; 2002 (this edition)

Publisher: Flammarion 

ISBN 978-2-08-071159-8

Pages 112* 

Language: English

20th and last book in my Goodreads 2018 reading challenge. From now on, each book I read is a bonus. 

The unnamed narrator is an american critic. He's an obsessed fan of Aspern, a famous poet from the previous century. Aspern died, and the narrator wishes to lay his hands on his papers. He follows Mrs Preset's advice and travels to Venice, lodging on false pretenses in a rather empty and dilapidated mansion, owned by the Aspern's last living relatives ; two recluse women,  Juliana Bordereau and her niece Tita. 


I've read a few other stories by James, and find this one both different, and similar. It is similar in a character's musings and inner thoughts about situations and people, and also in the period's popular telling of characters from one continent visiting the other (between America and Europe, that is) creating cultural clashes. Also, in a slow start, to set characterization. I find interesting that James made his main character a dishonest person, who finds himself at odds between his wishes, his actions, his lies and deceit, in order to get what he covets. 

This tale, which was apparently inspired by a real incident, includes other typical James ingredients : psychological subtlety (in the limits of the known at the time, and in the late 19th century context of gender roles),  nuanced representations in characters, their moods and ambivalent ambitions, and possibly also knowledge on geographic environments of his protagonists. 

James explores the ambivalent natures of writing, of fandom, and of a person's motives.  I was glad that he wrote these women in a slightly less stereotypical way than others.

I find, however, that the set-up was slower than usual, and that the nature of the sought papers isn't clearly defined - only some letters and documents about which the narrator is obsessed, as stated above, and which could possibly include incriminating details - again, in the social context of that period. 

I was an  overall enjoyable read, despite those few lengthy ; I loved the descriptions of the people and places, but not some small portions that he could have trimmed.  

* regarding the pages : this French edition is bilingual ; it's table of contents is:
7 Presentation**
35 Excerpt from the 1908 New York edition**
46-259 the novela *** 
261 Notes**
263 Annexes** 
> 265 Excerpt from Henry James' Carnet** 
> 267 letter to Aldrich (editor of Aspern...) **
>269 Adaptatons of Aspern...**

277 Chronology**
289 Bibliography**

Items marked ** are only in French
*** item is the Aspern papers novela, in bilingual format (1 page English, 1 French)