Putting people into books: biofiction and the making of Henry James

Abstract

This thesis studies biographical fiction, also known as biofiction and occasionally, fictional biography and explores its definition, performance and purpose. A definition of biofiction is hazardous, but can be loosely termed as a novel in which there are demonstrable elements of the biography of a real person. The aim of this thesis is to build on recent work, demonstrating different ways in which writing real lives in fiction is performed. Novels in which the biographized Henry James is conspicuous are abundant, thus providing a wide selection of material for analysis. Biographies of James and his oeuvre are considered in parallel, because they provide a contextual background. Other research sources include academic criticism, journalist reviews and reviews from private individuals. Academic comment reveals a lack of consensus regarding both the definition, usage and history of biofiction. Over-proscriptive terminology risks side-lining novels which contribute to an inter-contextual picture of the multifaceted character of biofiction. Book reviews reveal that generalising expectations of interpretation are not reflected, particularly expectations of belief. Reaction to the simultaneous publication of several examples of Jamesian biofiction largely ignores James’ contribution to the form. James was a biographer, a biographical novelist and a critic interested in other author’s experiments in life-writing. His advances in novelistic technique include theories of names, pictorialism, type, determinism, interiority and dialogue. This thesis argues James’ relevance in the process and progress of biofiction, evidenced from his fiction and non-fiction. A close reading of twelve biofictional novels, reveals the diversity of approaches to ‘putting people into books’ and the limits of definition. They reflect James’ foundational techniques and their inter-generic relationships, sympathetic or otherwise. By a broad and deep analysis of biofiction, this thesis practically applies the critical perspectives of others, to enhance, qualify or refute.