The Spoils of Poynton

By Henry James

Book Overview

Henry James's "The Spoils of Poynton" explores the intricate dynamics of family, inheritance, and social class within the evocative setting of English country houses. This literary classic delves into complex relationships and the psychological impact of material possessions.

At the heart of the story lies a struggle for ownership and control, not just of a physical estate, but of the very identity associated with it. James masterfully portrays the simmering tensions and hidden agendas that arise when family conflicts intertwine with the allure of wealth and status.

A cornerstone of classic fiction, "The Spoils of Poynton" offers a timeless exploration of human nature, revealing the subtle power plays and emotional complexities that underpin social interactions. This meticulously prepared print edition allows readers to immerse themselves in James's rich prose and enduring narrative.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1023248549
• ISBN13: 9781023248549
• Release Date: March 2025
• Publisher: Anson Street Press
• Length: 158 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Nice piece of 1890s James

Negative reviews of this small gem baffle me. The writing is so refined that in the best passages slide forth in a leisurely, ambling brilliance. Fleda Vetch, who dreams away the chance of marriage and ruins both her own and her loved one's prospects, in her indecision and her vanity, has a great Jamesian fineness and clearness. The dialogue is crisp and witty. The possessive, acute Mrs Gereth a wonderfully large creation; and the ending a satisfying moment of justice after a bitter climax. Recommended.

A beautifully made parable

Fleda is gifted with sensitivity to beauty. She finds it in the "things" her friend Mrs. Gereth has spent a lifetime collecting and in Mrs. Gereth's son, Owen. If Fleda acted with even a touch of cunning -- or just acted, period -- she could possess both. James gives her many opportunities, but, for some maddening reason, she won't seize them. Why? James is at his enigmatic best in this tightly plotted tale written after his experiences as a playwright led him to show more and tell the reader less.

Spoils quite a Prize!

Henry James' Spoils of Poynton is a jewel--quite a prize indeed. His shorter fiction and essays are among his most balanced efforts. He's a writer who is constantly obsessed with polishing his work. And the larger the piece the more cumbersome and tedious that polishing often becomes for him. This small work with few of the devisive distraction that seem to haunt his major projects, contains some his crispest and most telling dialogue. And you may feel in certain succinct instances that you have somehow entered profoundly into the pysche of that character for a moment Here, at least on those rare occasions, James' subtlety and charm counterbalance his observation of human cruelty with all the poise the author may have wished..