Order of Henry James Books

Henry James (1843-1916) was an American-British author of literary fiction novels and stories. A common theme in his novels was American ex-pats living in Europe. His plots were based around personal relationships, the proper usage of power in such relationships, and other moral questions. His imaginative use of point of view, interior monologue and unreliable narrators in his work brought an extra layer of depth to realistic fiction, and foreshadowed the modernist work of the 20th century. James was a prolific writer, in addition to his many works of fiction, he published articles and books on a variety of topics and wrote plays, some of which were performed during his lifetime to some success.

Henry James made his debut as a novelist in 1871 with the novel Watch and Ward. Prior to that, he had published the play Pyramus and Thisbe in 1869. Below is a list of Henry James’ books in order of when they were originally released:

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Plays

Publication Order of' Memoirs Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

If You Like Henry James Books, You’ll Love…

• Anthony Trollope
• Charles Dickens
• Jules Verne

Henry James Synopses: The American by Henry James is a standalone novel. Christopher Newman is a self-made American millionaire ex-pat living in France. It is there that he falls in love with the beautiful aristocrat Claire de Bellegarde. Her family, however, taken aback by his brash American manner, rejects his proposal of marriage. When Newman discovers a guilty secret in the Bellegardes’ past, he confronts a moral dilemma: Should he expose them, thereby gaining his revenge?

The Europeans by Henry James is a standalone title. Restless Baroness Eugenia Munster and her charming bohemian brother Felix are visiting their American cousins in Boston, New England. The effect these two extravagant characters have on their austere Puritan relations forms the substance of the book and is told in a series of scenes or “sketches.”