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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
In Henry James' novella, Catherine is a plain jane; not too terribly bright, and a bit boring - even her own father is disappointed in her! Into Catherine's life walks Morris Townsend, the cousin of her cousin's husband. Morris is charming and handsome, but there's a catch: he doesn't have a job, and doesn't seem too terribly interested in having one. He appears more interested in marrying Catherine and living off her inheritance. Catherine, of course, doesn't see it. She's too busy being the center of a man's romantic attentions. Her father sees it, and tries to advise her against marrying this man, but, like a petulant teenager (she's in her 20s), she insists that they love each other, and that her father is biased against Morris. It doesn't help that one of her aunts decides to step in and help Morris. She thinks she's some heroic figure in a romantic novel.
The story was tense. Will Catherine marry Morris despite her father's warnings? What will Morris do when he finds out he won't get as much money from Catherine as he thought? Will he abandon Catherine? Will Catherine wise up and realize he's a gold-digger? I was genuinely worried about Catherine getting hurt, and what trouble her aunt's meddling would cause.
James is a master of psychological dramas; really getting into his character's heads and discovering what makes them tick. Fascinating.
The story was tense. Will Catherine marry Morris despite her father's warnings? What will Morris do when he finds out he won't get as much money from Catherine as he thought? Will he abandon Catherine? Will Catherine wise up and realize he's a gold-digger? I was genuinely worried about Catherine getting hurt, and what trouble her aunt's meddling would cause.
James is a master of psychological dramas; really getting into his character's heads and discovering what makes them tick. Fascinating.
Many of the descriptions and reviews of Washington Square describe its melodramatic flare and the actions of the despicable father and fortune seeking Morris as they tangle over Catherine’s life. The addition of Mrs. Penniman was what engaged me in the book. She was living vicariously through her niece, playing the go-between with all of the other characters, . I picked up Washington Square at the last moment because of details for the Seasonal Reading Challenge even though I am not really a fan of Henry James. I learned through other reviews and a look at the canon, that Henry James himself rejected this novel later in his career. I guess I just “march to my own drummer” because I preferred it to both Daisy Miller and The Turn of the Screw, the only other James books I have read. Now I’m curious about him and ready to give him another try. Suggestions, anyone?
Spoiler
and ultimately was devastated by Morris almost as much as Catherine was
challenging
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An excellent installment of my #GildedAgeSummer reading list, the family dynamics in this were exquisitely painful and well written!
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Although I've heard of Henry James as an intimidating literary figure, I actually had a very pleasant experience with The Portrait of a Lady and was thus eager to pick up another book by him. When at the library, I narrowed my choices down to two (short) books and selected this one due to my love of the awesome film adaptation, The Heiress, starring Olivia de Havilland and Montgomery Clift (I cannot recommend this production to you enough-amazing acting!) Although I had no reason to do so, I assumed that the film was fairly accurate and approached the book with expectations about what it contained. While the film is pretty faithful, I found its ending much more satisfying although I won't spoil exactly why.
This novel is pretty simple and straightforward. A young woman named Catherine Sloper is plain but rich. Her father, Doctor Sloper, laments the loss of his beautiful wife giving birth to Catherine but does bring up Catherine. Their household is completed by his sister, the widow Penniman. The fourth main player in this drama is Morris Townsend, who pays many fine compliments to Catherine with the ultimate end of acquiring a fortune. Doctor Sloper sees this and promises the couple that if they wed, they will not receive a penny of his not insignificant fortune. This leads to Townsend breaking their engagement and Catherine remaining a spinster for the rest of her days. Several other characters play pivotal roles in this novel but overall it is a small, focused story, heavily reminiscent of a play.
Although I was familiar with the film, I still was not expecting the overwhelming sadness I felt. The comparisons to Jane Austen made me think there could somehow be a happy ending; but how do a simple young woman and a fortune hunter get a happy ending? But Doctor Sloper's obvious dislike for his daughter and her continued admiration for him and his knowledge left a sickening feeling in my stomach. The movie made Catherine even more sympathetic since she is played by the lovely Olivia de Havilland, who did her best to look plain.
And honestly my impressions of the film also overshadowed the book as a whole. I feel so bad saying that and I'm not going to say that the movie was better. But I do prefer the movie. I struggled with some of the writing as James employed some extremely long, convoluted sentences. And the characters are just so awful. When I watch the film, I at least have the ending to look forward, an original ending that James did not script.
Overall: My impressions of the film overpowered my desire to slog through James' prose and bleak outlook.
This novel is pretty simple and straightforward. A young woman named Catherine Sloper is plain but rich. Her father, Doctor Sloper, laments the loss of his beautiful wife giving birth to Catherine but does bring up Catherine. Their household is completed by his sister, the widow Penniman. The fourth main player in this drama is Morris Townsend, who pays many fine compliments to Catherine with the ultimate end of acquiring a fortune. Doctor Sloper sees this and promises the couple that if they wed, they will not receive a penny of his not insignificant fortune. This leads to Townsend breaking their engagement and Catherine remaining a spinster for the rest of her days. Several other characters play pivotal roles in this novel but overall it is a small, focused story, heavily reminiscent of a play.
Although I was familiar with the film, I still was not expecting the overwhelming sadness I felt. The comparisons to Jane Austen made me think there could somehow be a happy ending; but how do a simple young woman and a fortune hunter get a happy ending? But Doctor Sloper's obvious dislike for his daughter and her continued admiration for him and his knowledge left a sickening feeling in my stomach. The movie made Catherine even more sympathetic since she is played by the lovely Olivia de Havilland, who did her best to look plain.
And honestly my impressions of the film also overshadowed the book as a whole. I feel so bad saying that and I'm not going to say that the movie was better. But I do prefer the movie. I struggled with some of the writing as James employed some extremely long, convoluted sentences. And the characters are just so awful. When I watch the film, I at least have the ending to look forward, an original ending that James did not script.
Overall: My impressions of the film overpowered my desire to slog through James' prose and bleak outlook.
Gloomy house of a 19th century widower and his spinster sister and daughter. Characters who are believable and flawed. Setting is beautifully rendered but I also happen to know Washington Square and its environs incredibly well.
While I was reading this novel, the NYTimes published a piece about the work of Henry James which was very kind of them and helpful to me. I thought the story had the gothic elements that were so artful in Turn of the Screw. But I really can't say any of the characters made me care about them.
I really wanted to like this book and I did like it. In fact, I would say I "quite liked it." But don't think the characters undergo any real change and the conflict is rather swallowed. It definitely has a plot but will I remember it a month from now?
While I was reading this novel, the NYTimes published a piece about the work of Henry James which was very kind of them and helpful to me. I thought the story had the gothic elements that were so artful in Turn of the Screw. But I really can't say any of the characters made me care about them.
I really wanted to like this book and I did like it. In fact, I would say I "quite liked it." But don't think the characters undergo any real change and the conflict is rather swallowed. It definitely has a plot but will I remember it a month from now?