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The Aspern Papers

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The Aspern Papers

By: Henry James
Narrated by: Robin Field
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About this listen

 Set in a crumbling Venetian villa, The Aspern Papers is a story about the heart's romantic ambitions and the pragmatic methods we use to pursue them.

An American editor arrives in Venice on a quest to acquire some unpublished letters written by his favorite Romantic poet, Jeffrey Aspern. He tracks down the mistress to whom the letters were addressed, a now elderly Miss Bordereau, and presents himself as a prospective lodger.

In hopes of gaining access to the secret papers, he begins courting Miss Bordereau's plain spinster niece, Miss Tina. As his obsessive mission leads him into increasingly unscrupulous behavior, he finds that his desire can be obtained only at the price of his honor.

Written with taut suspense and brilliant insight into complex human motivations, The Aspern Papers is one of Henry James' most acclaimed stories.

Public Domain (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Linguistics Social Sciences
All stars
Most relevant
Great story and great narration. James' sensitivity to the subtle shifts in his characters' motivations and emotions is apparent on every page. A wonderful book, with an ending that manages the very-Jamesian trick of being genuinely dramatic without ever for a moment straining credibility.

Highly recommended

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