The Story of a Year

'The Story of a Year' is a short story by American writer Henry James that first appeared in the March 1865 issue of The Atlantic. The story starts in "early May, two years ago" during the American Civil War. Jack and Elizabeth, a newly-engaged young couple, walk through the country to their New England home. Jack asks Elizabeth to keep their engagement a secret, and she agrees. That night Jack confides in his mother about the engagement. His mother, who is also Elizabeth's guardian, does not approve—she accuses Lizzie of being shallow. The next day Jack gets called off to war.

Henry James (1843–1916) was an American-born British writer, regarded as one of the key figures of 19th-century literary realism. He spent the majority of his writing career in Britain and is best known for his novels exploring consciousness and perception among the genteel society of high Europe. James's method involved a detailed psychological depth, a practice that has led to his reputation as a master of the psychological novel, and his literary style is characterized by a close narrative technique which delved into the inner lives of his characters. 'The Story of a Year,' while not as well-known as some of his later works, still showcases his burgeoning interest in character interiority and social mores. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1911, 1912, and 1916. Celebrated works like 'The Portrait of a Lady' and 'The Wings of the Dove' exhibit his narrative skill and profound understanding of human complexities. His body of work includes over 20 novels, more than 100 novellas and short stories, as well as plays, critiques, and travelogues. Embodying the transition from Victorian to Modernist sensibilities, James's writings continue to be the subject of critical study for their narrative technique and depth of character exploration.