Edith Wharton first met Henry James at a dinner party in Paris, 1887. Wharton was young, hadn’t been married long and nervous about meeting such a well known writer. She put on her best dress and James promptly ignored her.
Wharton tried again in 1899 by sending James a copy of her newly published book of short stories, The Greater Inclination. And she tried again in 1900 by sending him a short story, “The Line of Least Resistance.” This at last got a response, an encouraging letter praising the story and telling her to send him what she wrote and he would send his writing to her. James had his first dinner with the Whartons in 1903 and after that there was no looking back.
James spent the autumn of 1904 at The Mount, Wharton’s Massachusetts estate. He was overwhelmed by and sarcastic about Wharton’s wealth calling it “oppressive” while at the same time enjoying the comfort and Wharton’s lavish arrangements. He loved Wharton’s cars and loved going on drives with her. Though after an extended drive through Europe with the Whartons he always found an excuse to not go on any further long trips. It was too much of a whirlwind for him and too expensive.
The pair had a mutual love of George Sand and giggled like teenagers over the gossip of her love affairs. They enjoyed long talks about books and writing and art.
But despite all this, James resented Wharton’s popularity and Wharton resented always being compared to James and frequently labeled the female Henry James. Hermione Lee in her Edith Wharton biography goes into marvelous detail and analysis on how the two were constantly writing for and against the other. They also exchanged plot ideas, modeled characters after each other, and used names of each other’s characters in their own novels.
This is the first chapter in which Lee goes into any kind of detail in their friendship, I am sure there will be even more details to come.
I was lucky enough to go to the Mount in the summer of 2008. The main floor has been so beautifully restored that even in the library it is hard to imagine anyone actually living there.
It’s one of the highlights of the biography, isn’t it, the James/Wharton friendship? I thought Lee did a great job sussing out the subtleties, ups & downs.
Ooh I love stories about literary friendships. They are always so full and rich and entertaining. I have just conceived a huge desire to rush off and read Wharton and James simultaneously!
I love reading about friendships between writers. I always end up feeling far more possessive about one member of the relationship though (usually the one whose works I read first). It is so exciting to think about great writers taking inspiration from one another, essentially mentoring one another, isn’t it? This biography sounds marvellous.
That’s so fascinating to think of a young Edith Wharton meeting her idol. And then it turns out they are at odds when they aren’t friends. how fun to learn about these people.
I am embarrassed to admit I have to read Henry James. Will this be the year?
I am fortunate enough to live a few minutes a way from The Mount and visit it frequently. These excursions inspired several audio books of Henry James and Edith Wharton stories put out by my company BMAstudios.com. Judging by the photos and even a room at The Mount dedicated to Henry I have no doubt that the two brilliant authors had immense fondness for each other as competitive as they might have been.
I very much like the sound of this biography. I like Edith Wharton and have enjoyed some of James (not, however, The Ambassadors, so much). A good literary biography is always a pleasure, so I’m adding this one to my list.
I would love to have been a fly on the wall listening to Edith and Henry’s conversations. It sounds like this book is the next best thing.
Wow, I had no idea they were friends. Thanks for posting!
This is so interesting – I had no idea that they were friends. I love Hermione Lee – she is such a great biographer. I will look out for this book – thanks for the informative post!
Emily B, always glad to add books to other people’s tbr lists!
Thomas, you are lucky! And what is really amazing is that The Mount was much smaller than Wharton’s even richer neighbors’ places. It is hard to imagine.
Emily, oh yes, definitely a highlight. It is such a shame that James burned all of Wharton’s letters. It would have been so nice to have both sides of their correspondence!
Litlove, isn’t it fun? Every time I pick up the bio I have to fight the urge to rush off and read both Wharton and James! A delicious agony.
Claire, I know what you mean about feeling more possessive about one member of the relationship than the other. It is hard not to take sides. The bio is really great if you are interested in Wharton.
Rebecca, it’s funny how self-assured Wharton was and then meeting James she was so nervous. Don’t be embarrassed about James. I’ve not read much of him but what I have read I have enjoyed though he is not easy going sometimes!
Jason, that is so cool that you live so close to The Mount. I hope to be able to visit it someday. I agree, there really isn’t any doubt that the two were very fond of each other.
Jenclair, if you like Wharton and a good literary biography then don’t miss this one. It’s one of the best biographies I’ve ever read.
andalucy, being a fly on the wall would have been a treat. I imagine their conversations were both mundane and fascinating.
Colleen, oh yes, they were great friends which is kinda fun to think about.
Naomi, Lee is a one of the best biographers out there I think. I hope you find copy and enjoy!
How fascinating! Since I love both James and Wharton, surely I’ll have to read this book to find out more. I can certainly see why Wharton would resent the comparisons — I mean, what a great compliment on the one hand, but on the other, she’s quite different and just as good in her own way.
It took him long enough to pay EW attention, didn’t it. I like the fact that she could hold her own against such a formidable person/writer. You’ll have to follow up your read with a visit to her home!
This is wonderful stuff. I have read both their books but I don’t know too much about the writers themselves. Interesting to know they had such a competitive friendship