The Master (Magill’s Literary Annual 1991-2005)
At a glance:
- Author: Colm Tóibín
- First Published: 2004
- Type of Work: Novel
- Time of Work: 1895-1899
- Setting: Venice, Florence, London, and Rye, England
- Principal Characters: Henry James, Constance Fenimore Woolson, Minny Temple, Alice James, William James
- Genres: Long fiction, Historical fiction, Biographical fiction
- Subjects: Authors or writers, Nineteenth century, Literature, Writing, Novelists, England or English people, London, Drama or dramatists, Plays or playwrights
- Locales: London, England, Venice, Italy, Florence, Italy
The Master begins with perhaps the greatest professional disappointment of Henry James's illustrious career, the opening performance of Guy Domville in London in January, 1895. James's novels were no longer selling, and he felt blocked as a writer; drama, he believed, would bring a steadier income and reach a wider audience. James left the theater during the performance, and when he returned for a curtain call, he was hustled onto the stage and forced to endure the catcalls and insults of a disappointed audience.
Retreating to his London apartment, James began...
[The entire page is 1826 words long]
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