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The Art of Literary Reinvention: Jim Berkman ’73 and "The Ambassadors" Trilogy

Jim Berkman '73, a former trustee and a prolific writer, is in the midst of drafting his fourth novel. Despite having self-published his first three books with minimal marketing, his works have attracted noteworthy attention, including positive reviews and high-profile endorsements.

Two of Berkman’s novels, along with his current draft, are deeply influenced by Henry James’ "The Ambassadors," which he first encountered during a senior seminar at Harvard College. The semester-long course centered entirely on this novel, which the class read six times. Berkman was particularly struck by a metaphor assignment, in which he explored the symbolic use of water in the novel. This experience ultimately inspired him to write his own literary responses to "The Ambassadors," a dream he realized nearly 40 years later after retiring from a long career in education.

Berkman’s trilogy, developed in reverse order, includes a sequel titled "The Product of Woollett," and a paraquel called "In the Presence of Chad Himself." The latter retells the events of "The Ambassadors" from the perspective of Chad, a key character, rather than the original protagonist, Strether. Berkman received enthusiastic blurbs for his work from celebrated authors John Banville, winner of the Man Booker Prize, and Gregory Maguire, author of "Wicked." He is currently drafting a prequel, "Strether’s Boy," which is about 95% complete.

In addition to his "Ambassadors" trilogy, Berkman has written a historical novel called "The Secret Ministry of Frost," focused on the Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge and his son, Hartley. This work, which interweaves poems and letters from the Coleridges, was favorably reviewed in "The Coleridge Bulletin."

While Jim Berkman may have embarked on his writing journey later in life, his passion for literature and deep connection to "The Ambassadors" have resulted in a unique and thoughtful body of work.