541 The Altar of the Dead by Henry James

Exploring the theme of loss and forgiveness, delving into Henry James's personal experiences with grief, and how he incorporated them into his fiction. A discussion on the impact of death in a person's life and a transformative court case in American history. The protagonist's annual pilgrimage to the grave of his deceased fiancee and the bitterness he feels towards his once closest friend. A mysterious encounter at a shrine leading to contemplation on mortality and shared devotion to the dead. Uncertainty about the future as their connection is shattered. A discussion of 'The Altar of the Dead' by Henry James and an introduction to 'The Collective' podcast.