The Aspern Papers

In the fading grandeur of Venice, an American editor becomes obsessed with obtaining the lost letters of a celebrated poet. He will lie, intrude, and manipulate to get them, but the two women who guard the papers have secrets and dignity of their own. Henry James's The Aspern Papers is a masterly study of obsession, privacy, and the cost of pursuing the past.

This novella, first published in 1888, is one of James's most enduring works. It combines psychological depth with a vivid sense of place, and it raises questions that remain urgent today: Who owns an artist's private life? What are the limits of scholarship? And what happens when desire overrides conscience?

Readers who enjoy literary fiction, moral ambiguity, and richly drawn characters will find much to admire. The story is also a fine introduction to James's style for those new to his work.

This edition contains the complete text of The Aspern Papers, a new introduction, a character guide, a summary, a list of themes, a glossary of period terms, and discussion questions for readers, students, and book clubs.