Publisher's Synopsis
The Sacred Fount is a complex and thought-provoking novel by the renowned American author, Henry James. The novel tells the story of an unnamed narrator who becomes obsessed with the idea that his friends and acquaintances are somehow draining each other's vitality and life force. He becomes convinced that they are all engaged in a kind of mysterious and sinister exchange, in which the strong feed off the weak and the weak become increasingly enfeebled.As the narrator delves deeper into this strange and unsettling world, he becomes increasingly isolated and alienated from those around him. He begins to see himself as a kind of detached observer, watching the strange rituals and interactions of his friends from a distance.The novel is a masterful exploration of the themes of power, desire, and human interaction. James's prose is rich and sophisticated, and he uses a variety of narrative techniques to create a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, leaving the reader unsure of what is really happening and what is merely the narrator's fevered imagination.Ultimately, The Sacred Fount is a deeply challenging and rewarding novel, one that will leave readers pondering its implications long after they have finished reading it. It is a masterpiece of psychological fiction, and a testament to James's skill as a writer.I HAVE said that I did many things on this wonderful day, but perhaps the simplest way to describe the rest of them is as a sustained attempt to avert that disaster. I succeeded, by vigilance, in preventing my late companion from carrying Mrs. Server off; I had no wish to see her studied--by anyone but myself at least.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.