On October 26, 1900, two giants of the American literary tradition, Edith Wharton and Henry James, began corresponding when James wrote to Wharton in true fanboy style, praising her story "The Line of Least Resistance." The feeling was mutual. For her part, Wharton took inspiration from James's work. 

As their friendship grew, Wharton began to call James "Cherest Maitre," while he called her things like "admirable Confrere" and "Princesse Rapprochee." They discussed dinner party gossip, bummers like going to the dentist, and, of course, writing.

Their work has frequently been compared, each writing realist novels of great psychological acuity fraught with social drama. At the same time, the two often differed in both approach to form and in setting. But can you tell the two writers's work apart? Take our quiz to find out just how well you know the American turn-of-the-century fiction of these literary buds.



To take the quiz, simply click "start" below.