39 pages • 1 hour read
The Aspern Papers
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
180
Novella • Fiction
Venice, Italy • 1880s
1888
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Aspern Papers follows an unnamed American editor and fervent admirer of the deceased poet Jeffrey Aspern. He travels to Venice to obtain letters thought to be held by Juliana Bordereau, Aspern's former lover, who resides with her niece, Tita. Pretending interest in renting rooms in their house, he hopes to access the elusive Aspern Papers while navigating complex relationships and moral dilemmas.
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Contemplative
Melancholic
Romantic
Reviews & Readership
6,297 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Henry James's The Aspern Papers captivates with intricate prose and a compelling exploration of obsession and deception. Critics laud its atmospheric Venice setting and complex characters but note the slow pace may deter some readers. Overall, it's a richly layered novella for those who appreciate literary depth.
Who Should Read The Aspern Papers?
Readers who enjoy psychological intrigue and literary mysteries will find The Aspern Papers by Henry James captivating. Similar to F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, it appeals to those who relish complex characters and themes of obsession, secrecy, and manipulation.
6,297 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Juliana Bordereau
Juliana Bordereau
The elderly and private aunt of Tita, who once had a relationship with Jeffrey Aspern and holds a collection of his letters, making her a crucial figure in the narrator's pursuit.
Tita Bordereau
Tita Bordereau
Juliana’s shy and unassuming niece, who lives with her aunt in a dilapidated residence and becomes entangled in the narrator’s schemes due to her familial loyalty and personal circumstances.
Mrs. Prest
Mrs. Prest
A minor yet pivotal character who suggests the narrator lodges with the Bordereaus, setting in motion the subsequent events of the story with her casual recommendation.
180
Novella • Fiction
Venice, Italy • 1880s
1888
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.