Henry James' 'Partial Portraits' is a masterful collection of literary criticism that showcases James' insightful perspectives on a range of writers, both English and European. The book includes essays that James had written over the preceding decade, in which he presents his views on the role of the novelist, the importance of freedom in content and technique, and the need for interesting subject matter above all else. James is a keen observer of each author's unique perspective on life, whether it's George Eliot's intellectual force, Anthony Trollope's comprehensive detail-work, Robert Louis Stevenson's unbounded imagination, or Alphonse Daudet's genial common sense. James' insistence on the fullest freedom in the novelist's choice of subject and method of treatment allows for a rich tapestry of literary voices to emerge, all speaking with validity from their personal view on life. 'Partial Portraits' is an illuminating and thought-provoking exploration of the art of fiction and the wide range of approaches that can be taken to capture the complexity of human existence.