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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
"You are different. You are a man; you will get over it. You have all kinds of consolation. You were born—you were trained, to changes."
Madame de Cintre to Newman
If any novel highlights the differences between old world European culture and American culture, The American by Henry James is it. Mr. Newman, a millionaire who worked his way from nothing to millions, arrives in France with all the easy American confidence and determination in the world, with the goal of marrying the most superior and ideal wife he can find. He finds, or believes he finds his ideal in a young beautiful widow from the old aristocratic Bellegarde family, Claire de Cintre. He is surprised to find that as a "commercial man" he is unacceptable to such an old distinguished family. Through much confidence in himself, and through almost audacious disregard for their cultural ideas of propriety, he wins Mademoiselle de Cintre and her family to consideration of him. Her family promises not to hinder his pursuit of her, and she eventually accepts him. However, after presenting Newman to their society, the Bellegardes decide that they cannot so soon part with their old ways, and decide against letting Claire marry Newman. Newman's struggle against the Bellegardes seems to be his first and only "let down" and every fiber in his being rages against this refusal.
It's a fascinating struggle between the traditions, prejudices, and culture of the old world, and the new. Interestingly, The American has many highly comedic moments, and an even-handed amount of drama, but it is also a frustratingly tragic love story.
Madame de Cintre to Newman
If any novel highlights the differences between old world European culture and American culture, The American by Henry James is it. Mr. Newman, a millionaire who worked his way from nothing to millions, arrives in France with all the easy American confidence and determination in the world, with the goal of marrying the most superior and ideal wife he can find. He finds, or believes he finds his ideal in a young beautiful widow from the old aristocratic Bellegarde family, Claire de Cintre. He is surprised to find that as a "commercial man" he is unacceptable to such an old distinguished family. Through much confidence in himself, and through almost audacious disregard for their cultural ideas of propriety, he wins Mademoiselle de Cintre and her family to consideration of him. Her family promises not to hinder his pursuit of her, and she eventually accepts him. However, after presenting Newman to their society, the Bellegardes decide that they cannot so soon part with their old ways, and decide against letting Claire marry Newman. Newman's struggle against the Bellegardes seems to be his first and only "let down" and every fiber in his being rages against this refusal.
It's a fascinating struggle between the traditions, prejudices, and culture of the old world, and the new. Interestingly, The American has many highly comedic moments, and an even-handed amount of drama, but it is also a frustratingly tragic love story.
Yikes! Bit of a rollercoaster this one, some awkward tonal shifts and a strange kind of story. Absorbing, arguably unsatisfying, ultimately gloomy. I'll probably never forget it but I also might well never read it again. The hero is a character I can't help liking, and the emotional truths of his experiences are discomfiting. The writing is rich and lively, and the atmosphere often a little strange. Part of me wants to steal the bones of the story and rewrite it so that Newman and Valentin end up together, that would be a lot more cheerful!
Christopher Newman, American businessman, who has made money out of money, suddenly loses the passion for business and heads to Europe to experience life. There the young American falls in love with Claire, a Marquise from an old French family. The colliding of cultures leads to the tension in the book.
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Classism
This practically screamed “I was published as a serial!” (so many long stretches in which nothing of consequence happened), and a lot of the characters were problematic in ways they perhaps weren’t intended to be (our hero is interested in obtaining a wife as a prize, and we’re supposed to think that’s fine?), but I wasn’t too annoyed to enjoy the melodrama of the journey, and it always feels refreshing to read something I might have studied in college. I highly recommend reading the intro and afterword for important context and insight.
"The gentleman on the divan was a powerful specimen of an American. But he was not only a fine American; he was in the first place, physically, a fine man."
"The gentleman on the divan was a powerful specimen of an American. But he was not only a fine American; he was in the first place, physically, a fine man."
Another one of my favorites. I am a big fan of Henry James and this is my favorite of his works.