The Beast in the Jungle
The Beast in the Jungle, published in 1903, is one of Henry James's most admired tales. John Marcher has lived his whole life in the conviction that something rare and terrible lies in wait for him, a beast crouching in the jungle of his years. May Bartram, a woman he meets again at a country house, remembers his confiding this to her long before, and agrees to watch with him. Over decades of friendship she comes to understand what the beast is; he does not, until it is too late. In six chapters James turns a man's egotism into something close to tragedy, in prose that circles its subject with great patience. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Beast in the Jungle
The Beast in the Jungle by Henry James can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Beast in the Jungle online?
Yes. The Beast in the Jungle opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Beast in the Jungle free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Beast in the Jungle is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Beast in the Jungle in the public domain?
Yes. The Beast in the Jungle by Henry James is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Beast in the Jungle?
About 1 h 15 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Beast in the Jungle?
The Beast in the Jungle by Henry James is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
