Try free for 30 days

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
The Real Thing and Other Stories cover art

The Real Thing and Other Stories

By: Henry James
Narrated by: Jeremy Northam
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $24.99

Buy Now for $24.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

Illusion and love - two of James' favourite things - grin thorough this collection of funny and wicked tales. The illusion of social class, a favourite stamping ground for James, is explored in the glittering social comedy "The Real Thing", first published in 1892, in which an artist attempts vainly to capture the nature of aristocracy via painting what he takes to be 'real' members of that social group.

In "Broken Wings", the question of whether lovers ever settle down gets the James examination. Greville Fane gleefully teases the world of Barbara Cartland- type romantic fiction, and in "Four Meetings" we get a taste of that distant, slightly chilly, but extraordinary passion that Henry James perfected.

With his usual mix of femme fatales, self-deprecating writers and social climbers running riot around Europe, this collection provides some prime examples of James' extraordinary skill in creating complete worlds for the listener in snapshot glimpses.

Public Domain (P)2008 Silksoundbooks Limited

What listeners say about The Real Thing and Other Stories

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.