Skyscrapers, Wealth, and Ghosts: Henry James Comes Home to America
Title: Henry James Comes Home: Rediscovering America in the Gilded Age Author: Peter Brooks Genre: Literary Biography / Cultural Criticism / Travel Literature Publication Date: 2025 available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GF7A0U[Using our affiliate links helps support the content we create]Step back in time with Henry James Comes Home, a captivating exploration of legendary novelist Henry James's return to America after two decades abroad. In 1904-1905, at the height of his fame as "the master," the 61-year-old James embarked on a bold, continental adventure across the United States, from Florida to California, the Midwest to the East Coast. Peter Brooks draws on James's letters, notebooks, essays, and the resulting travelogue, The American Scene, to recreate this extraordinary journey and delve into James's insightful, often critical, observations.Experience America's Gilded Age through the eyes of a literary giant grappling with a rapidly changing homeland. James, the "restless analyst," confronts the modernity of skyscrapers, the excesses of American society and wealth, and the raw, often unpicturesque landscape. He meditates on themes of democracy, cultural emptiness, the "money-passion," and the ghosts of his own past, revealing a vision of America as both too familiar and profoundly foreign.Brooks's book illuminates how James sought to extract meaning from the apparent "vacancy" of the American scene using vivid, metaphorical language. It explores his famous "Lesson of Balzac" lectures, his complex relationship with his philosopher brother William James, and the psychological depths triggered by his return, echoed in his fiction like "The Jolly Corner" and the unfinished novel The Ivory Tower.Henry James Comes Home offers a deeply insightful look at a pivotal moment in Henry James's life and a unique, challenging analysis of America at the turn of the 20th century, revealing why James's perspectives may still resonate today. It's a must-read for anyone interested in literary history, cultural studies, or the enduring complexities of the American identity.#HenryJamesComesHome #PeterBrooks #LiteraryBiography #CulturalCriticism #TravelLiterature #HenryJames #AmericanLiterature #GildedAge #TheAmericanScene #LiteraryAnalysis #Nonfiction #BookRecommendation🔍 DISCLAIMER:This content is generated with the assistance of AI tools for analysis and discussion purposes. While we strive for accuracy, AI systems may occasionally misinterpret, hallucinate, or misrepresent details from source material. We strongly recommend:Cross-checking claims with the original text or publisher-verified content.Not treating AI analysis as definitive—it is a tool for exploration, not a substitute for reading the work itself.Understanding that dates, quotes, or interpretations may contain errors.This channel does not guarantee the absolute accuracy of AI-generated insights and assumes no liability for misunderstandings or unintended misrepresentations. All analyses are provided "as is" for informational purposes only. The original copyrighted material belongs to its authors/publishers; we claim no ownership or endorsement.Respect for Rights Holders:If you are the author, publisher, or rights holder of any material referenced here and have concerns about its use, please contact us immediately. We are committed to addressing legitimate requests promptly, including content removal or correction.

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