HenryJames:Novels1901-1902

ThisvolumebringstogetherTheSacredFount(1901),oneofHenryJames'smostunusualexperiments,andTheWingsoftheDove(1902),oneofhismostbelovedmasterpiecesandthenovelthatinauguratedthemajesticandintricate"latephase"ofhisliterarycareer.WritingtohisfriendWilliamDeanHowells,JamescharacterizedTheSacredFount,theonlyoneofhisnovelstobetoldinthefirstperson,as"afineflightintothehighfantastic."WhiletravelingtothecountryhouseofNewmarchforaweekendparty,thenamelessnarratorbecomesobsessedwiththeideathatapersonmaybecomeyoungerorclevererbytappingthe"sacredfount"ofanotherperson.ConvincedthatGraceBrissendenhasbecomeyoungerbydrawinguponherhusband,Guy,thenarratorseekstodiscoverthesourceofthenewfoundwitofGilbertLong,previously"afinepieceofhumanfurniture."Hisperplexingandambiguousquest,andthevaryingreactionsitprovokesfromtheotherguests,callsintoquestiontheimaginativeinquirycentraltoJames'sartofthenovel.JamesdescribedtheessentialideaofTheWingsoftheDoveas"ayoungpersonconsciousofagreatcapacityforlife,butearlystrickenanddoomed,condemnedtodieundershortrespite,whilealsoenamouredoftheworld."Theheroine,awealthyyoungAmericanheiress,MillyTheale(inspiredbyJames'sbelovedcousinMinnyTemple),isslowlydrawnintoatrapsetforherbytheEnglishadventuressKateCroyandherlover,thejournalistMortonDensher.Theunexpectedoutcomeoftheirmercenaryschemeprovidestheresolutiontoatragicstoryofloveandbetrayal,innocenceandexperiencethathaslongbeenacknowledgedasoneofJames'ssupremeachievementsasanovelist.ThisvolumeprintstheNewYorkEditiontextofTheWingsoftheDove,andincludestheilluminatingprefaceJameswroteforthatedition.