Henry James — Hawthorne

New York, Harper & Brothers , 1879. First edition. Cloth. The uncommon first US edition of this book of this study of the work of Nathaniel Hawthorne by Henry James. The first US edition of this work, published simultaneously in the UK and US. Henry James's book of literary criticism of Nathaniel Hawthorne, the author's great predecessor. A detailed and comprehensive study of Hawthorne's novels and a selection of his short stories as well as some of his non-fiction, including a review of his life. This book became controversial due to a section which lists elements of novelistic interest that James thought were absent from American life. In the 'English Men of Letters' series edited by John Morley. In the original publisher's full cloth binding. Externally smart with some shelf wear and a minor bumping to the head and tail of the spine and extremities, general light soiling to the boards and minor darkening to the spine. Internally, the front hinge is slightly strained, holding firm, the volume firmly bound. The pages are clean with a hint of age toning, as usual. Very Good . Ill.: None. Very Good .