"A Most Unholy Trade," Being Letters on the Drama by Henry James: Play Guide and Free Edition
"A Most Unholy Trade," Being Letters on the Drama by Henry James: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

"A Most Unholy Trade," Being Letters on the Drama by Henry James is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for James, Henry (1843–1916).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"A Most Unholy Trade," Being Letters on the Drama by Henry James is a collection of four letters written during the late 19th century, presenting reflections on the theatre and drama, particularly focusing on Ibsen's "Little Eyolf." The correspondence, addressed to publisher William Heinemann, explores James's impressions and critiques of modern drama, showcasing his profound engagement with theatrical themes and techniques. In these letters, Henry James shares his thoughts on Ibsen’s work, praising its intensity and emotional depth while expressing his hopes for its staging in London. He critiques aspects of the play’s structure and offers suggestions on how it could be effectively represented, emphasizing the challenges faced by playwrights in creating compelling drama with a small cast. James discusses the balance between artistic ambition and audience comprehension, recognizing the difficulties of engaging an audience's intelligence while remaining true to artistic integrity. Ultimately, the letters provide insight into James's views on the evolution of drama and the inherent complexities of the dramatic art form.
Book and edition facts
- Title: "A Most Unholy Trade," Being Letters on the Drama by Henry James
- Author credits: James, Henry (1843–1916)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Authors, American -- 19th century -- Correspondence
- Heinemann, William, 1863-1920 -- Correspondence
- Ibsen, Henrik, 1828-1906. Lille Eyolf
- James, Henry, 1843-1916 -- Correspondence
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches
- Category: Plays/Films/Dramas
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.



