This is an interesting novel based on accounts of Henry James’ life. Toibin is a highly respected Irish author, and his writing style is put to good use focusing on James at the point at which he is being eclipsed by Wilde, particularly during this period in which the theatre is gaining popularity. This book goes back and forth through his life to his childhood and Toibin makes this style appear effortless. He leads the reader through the author’s life, but at the same time the reader is left feeling as if some of the critical (and perhaps unknown) moments and aspects of James’ personality are left untouched.

I still have not read Toibin’s The Master, his epic portraying Henry James, but after reading his new collection of short stories I have even more motivation to read more of this Irish master’s work. Each of these stories deals with (sometimes loosely) the relationship between a mother and her son(s). Each feels real and true and they are very classically told stories – nothing experimental really, just as if you were listening to him tell the story, as a master would.