The American

by Henry James Narrated by Eloise Fairfax

Overview

"The American" by Henry James follows Christopher Newman, a wealthy and confident American businessman, as he ventures to Europe seeking adventure and romance. In Paris, he becomes infatuated with the beautiful and enigmatic Claire de Cintré, a young widow from a noble French family. Driven by his passion, Newman pursues Claire despite her family's disapproval. As their relationship develops, cultural disparities, social expectations, and financial considerations complicate their love. Claire's aristocratic relatives, particularly her controlling mother, present formidable obstacles, and Newman's American directness clashes with European subtleties.

Editorial Reviews

Leon Edel

A masterpiece of American romanticism in which James shows us his profound grasp of what he was ultimately to call ‘the Americo-European legend.’”

author of The Cambridge Companion to English Novel Adrian Poole

The whole world was a rough place, as James would prove in fiction after fiction, brimming with pain and violence and darkness…One may see in The American his first great effort to take and give readers, in the largest sense of the words, the rough with the smooth.”

FEBRUARY 2021 - AudioFile

Adam Sims offers a solid narration of this classic novel, in which an American makes his way through the social complexities of Paris. The title character, Christopher Newman, has survived the American Civil War and made his own fortune; now all that remains is to experience the wider world and to find a suitable wife. Will his encounters in Paris provide him opportunities for both? Sims's voice is appealing and measured, clear and rich with the novel's nuances. His French accents are seamless, and the dialogue is realistic and easy to follow. Sims has the unique skill of voicing female characters without sounding forced, which is important here. The story may drag for some listeners, but this performance illuminates the novel's value. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

FEBRUARY 2021 - AudioFile

Adam Sims offers a solid narration of this classic novel, in which an American makes his way through the social complexities of Paris. The title character, Christopher Newman, has survived the American Civil War and made his own fortune; now all that remains is to experience the wider world and to find a suitable wife. Will his encounters in Paris provide him opportunities for both? Sims's voice is appealing and measured, clear and rich with the novel's nuances. His French accents are seamless, and the dialogue is realistic and easy to follow. Sims has the unique skill of voicing female characters without sounding forced, which is important here. The story may drag for some listeners, but this performance illuminates the novel's value. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940191163437
Publisher:	Interactive Media
Publication date:	09/24/2024
Edition description:	Unabridged

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