“If you write fiction you are, in a sense, corrupted. There's a tremendous corruptibility for the fiction writer because you're dealing mainly with sex and violence. These remain the basic themes, they're the basic themes of Shakespeare whether you like it or not.”
Anthony Burgess said that. He was talking about himself of course but he could have added something to the effect of Henry James being a minority taste. Poor old Henry. He liked to use long sentences and excessively latinate language. He avoided violence and he found the sexual side of human relations somewhat distasteful.
He did have some kind words for Guy de Maupassant, who could be quite saucy, and he had a few lady-friends… but he didn’t let them get too close. And in case you’re wondering there is no evidence of gayness. He didn’t care much for Oscar Wilde’s lifestyle either. So it’s probably safe to say Henry saved his sexual energy for his writing.
Be that as it may what Burgess says is true. We writers start out with lofty intentions but quickly degenerate. Of course it also has a lot to do with what people like to read.
For those of you who come here for the naughty bits, I haven’t forgotten about Miss Perfect. Part 3 is coming up. Why not read David Lodge’s excellent biography of Henry James ‘Author, Author’ while you’re waiting?
Anthony Burgess said that. He was talking about himself of course but he could have added something to the effect of Henry James being a minority taste. Poor old Henry. He liked to use long sentences and excessively latinate language. He avoided violence and he found the sexual side of human relations somewhat distasteful.
He did have some kind words for Guy de Maupassant, who could be quite saucy, and he had a few lady-friends… but he didn’t let them get too close. And in case you’re wondering there is no evidence of gayness. He didn’t care much for Oscar Wilde’s lifestyle either. So it’s probably safe to say Henry saved his sexual energy for his writing.
Be that as it may what Burgess says is true. We writers start out with lofty intentions but quickly degenerate. Of course it also has a lot to do with what people like to read.
For those of you who come here for the naughty bits, I haven’t forgotten about Miss Perfect. Part 3 is coming up. Why not read David Lodge’s excellent biography of Henry James ‘Author, Author’ while you’re waiting?
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