'A London Life' by Henry James is a tale about two American sisters living in England, with their lives intertwined in scandal and betrayal. Despite the challenges they face, Laura and Selina remain steadfast in their beliefs, with the guidance of the wise Lady Davenant. While the story explores the frivolity and moral decay of the upper classes, it also touches on the importance of compassion and empathy.
Immerse yourself in this collection of long tales from the master of the form, Henry James. In the title story, an American young woman living in London has to come to grips with her family's seemingly unbroken streak of bad luck, while in "The Patagonia," an engagement falls to pieces after the betrothed young woman engages in some scandalously licentious behavior.
It was raining, apparently, but she didn't mind-she would put on stout shoes and walk over to Plash. She was restless and so fidgety that it was a pain; there were strange voices that frightened her-they threw out the ugliest intimations-in the empty rooms at home. She would see old Mrs. Berrington, whom she liked because she was so simple, and old Lady Davenant, who was staying with her and who was interesting for reasons with which simplicity had nothing to do. Then she would come back to the children's tea-she liked even better the last half-hour in the schoolroom, with the bread and butter, the candles and the red fire, the little spasms of confidence of Miss Steet the nursery-governess, and the society of Scratch and Parson (their nicknames would have made you think they were dogs) her small, magnificent nephews, whose flesh was so firm yet so soft and their eyes so charming when they listened to stories. Plash was the dower-house and about a mile and a half, through the park, from Mellows. It was not raining after all, though it had been; there was only a grayness in the air, covering all the strong, rich green, and a pleasant damp, earthy smell, and the walks were smooth and hard, so that the expedition was not arduous.
A collect of short stories from the master of the form-Henry James. We publish the world's books. We have the largest collection of classics, and we believe that they are the highest quality, too. Don't take our word for it, peek inside and you'll see why we brag.
A London Life is one of James's longest tales, in fact it falls into the category which he labelled the nouvelle. It seems that in writing it the author's attitude to his heroine gradually became more critical and in the finished text a number of the other characters try to make Laura Wing realize that her standards are just too high and that she applies them too rigidly for modern society.
