About this book
Henry James's "The Jolly Corner" stands as one of literature's most haunting psychological ghost stories, rivaling even his celebrated "The Turn of the Screw" in its mastery of suspense and ambiguity. First published in 1908, this novella follows Spencer Brydon, a fifty-six-year-old American who returns to New York after three decades abroad, expecting to reconnect with his past. Instead, he finds himself confronted by unsettling questions about the life he abandoned and the man he might have become.
Restless and adrift despite his comfortable circumstances, Brydon becomes obsessed with a mysterious presence haunting his family's old townhouse—a presence that may be nothing more than a manifestation of his own regrets and untapped potential. With the support of his friend Alice Staverton, he begins a psychological exploration that blurs the line between supernatural terror and the deeper horror of confronting one's alternate self. James weaves together gothic atmosphere, philosophical inquiry, and psychological depth to create an ending that remains deliberately ambiguous and profoundly unsettling.
This is essential listening for fans of classic horror who appreciate subtlety and psychological complexity over jump scares. Literary enthusiasts and anyone fascinated by how our choices shape our identities will find themselves captivated by James's exploration of regret, possibility, and the haunting weight of untaken paths.
