Fletcher nearly killed Henry James in Rye

Henry James nearly withered away and died following his addiction to and obsession with masticating! The American novelist, who made his home in Rye East Sussex, was a disciple of the Great Masticator - Horace Fletcher, as was revealed by JC Hallman at a talk at the 42nd Rye Arts Festival on Saturday 14th Sept 2013.



Hallman, who has written a book about the many letters between Henry James and his brother William, was talking in a marquee in Lamb House Garden - Henry James home for many years until his death.

He revealed that the letters show how brother William, who was a doctor, warned Henry that his obsession with chewing each mouthful at least 100 times meant that his stomach was giving out with inactivity and therefore he was starving himself of nutrients.

Henry was able to curb his masticating and survived.

For more information on this year's Rye Arts Festival go to www.ryeartsfestival.co.uk