Book Cover of The Altar of the Dead

The Altar of the Dead

by Henry James

"The Altar of the Dead" is a short story by Henry James, first published in his collection Terminations in 1895. A fable of literally life and death significance, the story explores how the protagonist tries to keep the remembrance of his dead friends, to save them from being forgotten entirely in the rush of everyday events. He meets a woman who shares his ideals, only to find that the past places what seems to be an impassable barrier between them. Although James was not religious in any conventional sense, the story shows a deep spirituality in its treatment of mortality and the transcendent power of unselfish love.

Book Details

Language

English

Original Language

English

Published In

1895

Authors

Henry James image

Henry James

America, Britain

Henry James was born in New York City on April 15, 1843, into a wealthy and intellectually stimulating family. His father, Henry James Sr., was a Swedenborgian philosopher and his mother, Mary Roberts...

Books by Henry James

Listen/Download Audiobook

Read by:
00:00
Playback Speed 1.0
00:00
  • Select Speed

Related books

Kleine Zielen Cover image

Kleine Zielen by Louis Couperus

De kleine zielen is een roman van Louis Couperus die zich afspeelt in Den Haag aan het begin van de 20e eeuw. Het verhaal draait om Constance van Lowe...

Nymphs Cover image

Nymphs by Ivan Turgenev

The Nymphs is a novel by Ivan Turgenev, originally written in Russian. It tells the story of a young woman named Elena, whose life is centered around...

Groote Verwachtingen Cover image

Groote Verwachtingen by Charles Dickens

Groote Verwachtingen, een klassiek werk van Charles Dickens, volgt het leven van Pip, een weeskind uit de lagere klassen, die plots in aanraking komt...

Wildfire Cover image

Wildfire by Zane Grey

Wildfire tells the story of a powerful stallion, a rugged cowboy, and a spirited woman, all bound by fate in the untamed wilderness of the American We...

Once a Week Cover image

Once a Week by A. A. Milne

A collection of short stories by famed Winnie the Pooh author, A.A. Milne. This charmingly humorous work from Milne's earlier writing period was first...

Trial and Triumph Cover image

Trial and Triumph by Frances E. W. Harper

Frances E. W. Harper's 'Trial and Triumph' is a novel that follows the journey of Annette Harcourt, an African American woman living in 19th century A...

Novelas y Cuentos Cover image

Novelas y Cuentos by Edgar Allan Poe

Esta colección de novelas y cuentos de Edgar Allan Poe presenta una selección de sus obras más famosas, explorando temas como la muerte, la locura, el...

Inevitable Cover image

Inevitable by Louis Couperus

This novel explores the complexities of love, desire, and the consequences of choices in the life of Cornélie de Retz, a young Dutch divorcee who seek...

Sangre y arena Cover image

Sangre y arena by Vicente Blasco Ibanez

Set in 19th-century Seville, "Blood and Sand" follows the rise and fall of Juan Gallardo, a young bullfighter from a humble background. As Juan's fame...

Nan Sherwood at Lakeview Hall Cover image

Nan Sherwood at Lakeview Hall by Annie Roe Carr

Nan Sherwood is about to embark on the summer of a lifetime. Nan Sherwood is a curious and adventurous young girl who loves to explore. When she is i...

Reviews for The Altar of the Dead

No reviews posted or approved, yet...