The Aspern Papers

The Aspern Papersis a novella by American writerHenry James, originally published inThe Atlantic Monthlyin 1888, with its first book publication later in the same year. One of James's best-known and most acclaimed longer tales,The Aspern Papersis based on the lettersPercy Bysshe Shelleywrote toMary Shelley's stepsister,Claire Clairmont, who saved them until she died. Set inVenice,The Aspern Papersdemonstrates James's ability to generate suspense while never neglecting the development of hischaracters.