The Real Thing
Henry James
Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
The Real Thing is, on one level, a somewhat ironic tale of an artist and two rather particular models. Yet it also raises questions about the relationship between the notion of reality in our humdrum world, and the means that an artist must use in trying to achieve, or reflect, that reality. Though the protagonist is an artist and illustrator of books, not a writer, it's not hard to imagine that James has himself, and other writers, in mind.(summary by Clifford) (1 hr 4 min)
Chapters
| 1 - Chapter 1 | 13:45 | Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019) |
| 2 - Chapter 2 | 13:28 | Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019) |
| 3 - Chapter 3 | 16:12 | Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019) |
| 4 - Chapter 4 | 21:14 | Read by Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019) |
Reviews
Excellent reading (again)
Alan S
Another wonderful, understated reading by Nicholas Clifford. The story itself is an ironic and somewhat melancholy tale about the imprisoning and limiting effects of the class system. The chief irony is that the narrator-artist is no less constrained (both imaginatively and socially) by the class system as the financially insolvent upper class couple about which he writes.
Exquisite
NSA
The story is thought provoking and insightful and the reader is wonderful. His reading provides, I believe, the effect that the word were meant to have by James himself.
Bitter sweet!
Oriana Calabrese
Compelling if not engrossing, short story - didn't quite know what to think of the two main characters - irritating or pathetic? Poignant ending. Excellent reader!
Thought provoking
jbrown
A nice little story well read by my favorite narrator Mr. Nicholas Clifford.