A Small Boy and Others

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26115

Title

A Small Boy and Others

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In this intimate memoir, Henry James reflects on his early life in Albany and Paris, weaving together family history, childhood observations, and the formative influence of his brilliant brother, William James. With lyrical prose and deep affection, James explores themes of memory, artistic development, and the contrast between provincial innocence and the complex world of high culture.

Summary up to 500 words

In *A Small Boy and Others*, Henry James offers a richly detailed recollection of his youth, tracing the trajectory of his family's life from New York to Albany and eventually to Boulogne-sur-Mer. The narrative centers profoundly on his relationship with his older brother, William James, whom Henry views as a figure of genius and a constant source of inspiration. James describes the domestic atmosphere of his grandmother's home, the intellectual environment of their schooling under various tutors, and the profound impact of his brother's artistic talents. The text captures the author's sensitive perception of his surroundings, from the grandeur of the Astor House to the quiet streets of Boulogne. Through vivid imagery and introspection, James examines the nature of memory, the passage of time, and the delicate balance between personal experience and the broader cultural currents of the mid-19th century. The memoir serves as both a tribute to his brother and a meditation on the process of artistic formation. James reflects on his own sense of being perpetually behind his brother, noting that while William was always ahead, moving through different phases of life and education, Henry felt he could never quite catch up. He recalls the specific figures who shaped his early education, such as the genial tutor Richard Pulling and the stern Mr. Forest, contrasting the 'vieux temps' of classical learning with the practical demands of the era. The work is a labor of love, an attempt to preserve the 'fine substance of history' regarding his brother's beginnings and the unique world they inhabited together. It is a testament to the power of memory to reconstruct a lost world, where the 'small feet' of childhood plant themselves afresh in the reader's imagination, allowing for a re-experiencing of a life defined by affection, admiration, and the quiet, often invisible, influence of genius.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26115.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg26115.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-04 15:55 UTC

Categories

• Classics
• Biography