{"product_id":"2940012704719","title":"The Better Sort","description":"Scanned, proofed and corrected from the original edition of 1903.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003econtents:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBroken Wings\u003cbr\u003eThe Beldonald Holbein\u003cbr\u003eThe Two Faces\u003cbr\u003eThe Tone of Time\u003cbr\u003eThe Special Type\u003cbr\u003eMrs. Medwin\u003cbr\u003eFlickerbridge\u003cbr\u003eThe Story In It\u003cbr\u003eThe Beast in the Jungle\u003cbr\u003eThe Birthplace\u003cbr\u003eThe Papers\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"The Beast in the Jungle\" (a novella included in this collection) is almost universally considered one of James' finest short narratives, this story treats appropriately universal themes: loneliness, fate, love and death. The parable of John Marcher and his peculiar destiny has spoken to many readers who have speculated on the worth and meaning of human life.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJames placed \"The Beast in the Jungle\" at the head of volume 17 of the New York Edition (1907–1909) of his fiction, along with another insightful examination of life and death, \"The Altar of the Dead.\" Critics have almost unanimously agreed with the author's own high opinion of the tale, with some going so far as to put the story among the best short narratives in any literature.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCritics have appreciated James' flash of insight in conceiving \"the man to whom nothing on earth was to have happened.\" They have also praised the tale's technique. Beginning in a neutral and rather diffident manner, the story builds to a climax of great power. Many critics have singled out the final paragraph for its intensity and rhetorical impact.","brand":"OGB","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47081834971376,"sku":"2940012704719","price":2.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940012704719_p0.jpg?v=1763571932","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940012704719","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}