As Henry James aged, his writing style is considered to become more and more "difficult". "The Jolly Corner" would be considered stylistically on a par with his last novels. If you have given up on his novels, you will probably not relish this story. That being said, "The Jolly Corner" is considered his best paranormal type work after The Turn of the Screw. The central male character is also a confirmed bachelor with a long time close Platonic female friend. He has lived in London for many years (just like James did) and lived from the rents of inherited properties in New York City. "The Jolly Corner" is about what happens when he returns to New York City and begins to renovate one of his old properties and how this changes his relationship to the woman. "The Jolly Corner" is really a fun read.