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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
challenging
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Kept to the "50 page rule" on this one...just couldn't get engaged.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A brilliant satire but all three of the main characters are so unlikable that I have a hard time with this particular Henry James novel.
“Well, you are considerate.’ And Miss Birdseye continued to gaze at him. ‘It’s a pity you can’t sympathise.”
Set in mid to late 19th century America, Verena Tarrant is the talk of the town in Boston. Her remarkable gift for public speaking has landed her a front running position in the feminist movement. Olive Chancellor is impressed by the young girl and but worries for the looming influence of her parents who seem to shelter her far too much. Olive is not the only one vying for Verena’s attention. Basil Ransom, Olive’s conservative cousin from the South, has come to Boston per Olive’s invitation and is quite taken by Verena at one of her speaking events. The battle for Verena’s attention is fought passionately between Ransom and Olive, both failing to fully consider what this means for Verena herself.
I picked up this novel for reason slightly more sentimental than usual, as this edition was edited and annotated by possibly my favourite professor who taught me up until a few months ago. Lansdown’s introduction, unsurprisingly, put the story in a whole new light for me and fascinated me. He suggests that these characters aren’t so much individuals but representatives of the influential political movements in America in the 19th century. Ransom is the conservative South, fighting the upcoming feminist movement and the more modern influences of emancipation (embodied in Olive). Verena is young America, coming of age and struggling to deal with these looming influences whilst trying to find her own voice.
The novel is also surprisingly funny. James manages to discuss very complicated subjects and allows the reader to wonder for themselves by adding satirical and sarcastic comments to discussions. I read this novel with a friend and we had a great discussion about it.
I liked this novel a lot more than I thought I would. I was going to pick it up at some point but knowing the editor and how he has helped me find a renewed enjoyment for the study of literature pulled me in sooner. I would highly recommend this to anyone who appreciates a good classic that makes you reconsider modern philosophy as well as consider the political climate of the past. The characters are fascinating too, you are really in for something.
Set in mid to late 19th century America, Verena Tarrant is the talk of the town in Boston. Her remarkable gift for public speaking has landed her a front running position in the feminist movement. Olive Chancellor is impressed by the young girl and but worries for the looming influence of her parents who seem to shelter her far too much. Olive is not the only one vying for Verena’s attention. Basil Ransom, Olive’s conservative cousin from the South, has come to Boston per Olive’s invitation and is quite taken by Verena at one of her speaking events. The battle for Verena’s attention is fought passionately between Ransom and Olive, both failing to fully consider what this means for Verena herself.
I picked up this novel for reason slightly more sentimental than usual, as this edition was edited and annotated by possibly my favourite professor who taught me up until a few months ago. Lansdown’s introduction, unsurprisingly, put the story in a whole new light for me and fascinated me. He suggests that these characters aren’t so much individuals but representatives of the influential political movements in America in the 19th century. Ransom is the conservative South, fighting the upcoming feminist movement and the more modern influences of emancipation (embodied in Olive). Verena is young America, coming of age and struggling to deal with these looming influences whilst trying to find her own voice.
The novel is also surprisingly funny. James manages to discuss very complicated subjects and allows the reader to wonder for themselves by adding satirical and sarcastic comments to discussions. I read this novel with a friend and we had a great discussion about it.
I liked this novel a lot more than I thought I would. I was going to pick it up at some point but knowing the editor and how he has helped me find a renewed enjoyment for the study of literature pulled me in sooner. I would highly recommend this to anyone who appreciates a good classic that makes you reconsider modern philosophy as well as consider the political climate of the past. The characters are fascinating too, you are really in for something.
I liked this, once again, because it didn't seem like it was actually a Henry James novel. This reminded me more of my much adored Jane Austen.
Много ми хареса този роман. Много се забавлявах и дори смях, докато четях. На моменти ми беше досадно от пространните обяснения, подробности, детайли и отплесвания, но цялостно съм много доволна.
За пръв път подчертавам в книга и съм извадила някои любими цитати.
“Харесваха му такива жени - да не мислят много-много, да не се чувстват отговорни за световните съдбини. Просто да са въздържани и пасивни, да се интересуват от домакинството и да оставят обществения живот на по-силния пол.”
“В природата и беше да се нагърбва със задължения, да товари съвестта си с трудни дела.”
“Онова, което Базил Рансъм долови всъщност, беше, че госпожица Чансълър е съвършената стара мома. Това беше присъщото и качество, нейната съдба, категорично предопределена. Има жени, които остават неомъжени по случайност, и други, които не се женят по свой избор, Олив Чансълър обаче беше неомъжена, защото така налагаше собствената и природа. Беше стара мома, както Шели е лиричен поет и както август е зноен месец.”
“В нрава на жената беше да се тревожи без причина, да страда от безброй скрупули и да предсказва последиците от всяко нещо.”
“Положението на жените е да правят мъжете на глупаци.”
“Беше на мнение, че най-ефикасният протест срещу робството на жените беше всяка представителка на пола да стане видна личност. Ако някой дочуеше дори част от разговора на тази вдъхновена двойка, щеше да бъде трогнат от силния им стремеж към светска слава”
“Не харесваше спорещите и активните жени и смяташе, че женската мекота и покорство са вдъхновение и възможност мъжът да прояви най-доброто от себе си.”
За пръв път подчертавам в книга и съм извадила някои любими цитати.
“Харесваха му такива жени - да не мислят много-много, да не се чувстват отговорни за световните съдбини. Просто да са въздържани и пасивни, да се интересуват от домакинството и да оставят обществения живот на по-силния пол.”
“В природата и беше да се нагърбва със задължения, да товари съвестта си с трудни дела.”
“Онова, което Базил Рансъм долови всъщност, беше, че госпожица Чансълър е съвършената стара мома. Това беше присъщото и качество, нейната съдба, категорично предопределена. Има жени, които остават неомъжени по случайност, и други, които не се женят по свой избор, Олив Чансълър обаче беше неомъжена, защото така налагаше собствената и природа. Беше стара мома, както Шели е лиричен поет и както август е зноен месец.”
“В нрава на жената беше да се тревожи без причина, да страда от безброй скрупули и да предсказва последиците от всяко нещо.”
“Положението на жените е да правят мъжете на глупаци.”
“Беше на мнение, че най-ефикасният протест срещу робството на жените беше всяка представителка на пола да стане видна личност. Ако някой дочуеше дори част от разговора на тази вдъхновена двойка, щеше да бъде трогнат от силния им стремеж към светска слава”
“Не харесваше спорещите и активните жени и смяташе, че женската мекота и покорство са вдъхновение и възможност мъжът да прояви най-доброто от себе си.”
slow-paced
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes