Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
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?
This is one of those books I have always intended to read. I love Henry James. Not quite as much as I love his bff Edith Wharton, but a lot. So I decided to jump into this one because it's nicely sized and I was reading another book that I JUST COULDN'T GET INTO. And the best solution to that is always repressed feelings and Victorian stoicism. Right? This is the story of Catherine Sloper and her affections for Morris Townsend, who may be a decent guy, but is probably after her money. Her father vehemently disapproves. Drama, but not too much drama, ensues.
I'd picked this book up on one of my library runs, thinking it would be like reading Jane Austen, except that it wouldn’t be the landed gentry in 18th century England being dissected, but 19th century New York society instead. But Catherine Sloper, the heroine of Washington Square, is no match for any of Austen’s heroines. Her father thinks her plain, dull, uninspired and insipid. And he’s absolutely right! Whereas Austen’s heroines are full of spunk, if not vivacious and attractive, Catherine is timid and confuses an inability to act with forbearance and fortitude. When her father disapproves of her suitor, Morris Townsend, Catherine’s solution to her dilemma is to wait, in the hope that her father will eventually change his mind. As it turns out, Morris Townsend is a bit of a bad hat so Catherine's paralysis does save her from a marriage that would likely leave her disillusioned and embittered. But apart from that, it appears to bring her little else. An intensely frustrating novel, given its frustrating heroine (and her equally frustrating sidekick, Catherine’s silly and credulous Aunt Penniman).
Published in 1881, Washington Square is a novel of a life unlived. Catherine Sloper is cursed with plain looks and a pleasant, but unexciting personality. Because she has the prospects of considerable wealth, a young man finds her an easy target for gold digging. Devastating betrayals by both her father and her lover leave the shy Catherine Sloper permanently scarred. A meddling aunt, a dictatorial father, and a cad all make Catherine's life miserable. Will she emerge stronger than before?
Henry James gives reader great insight as to how women were oppressed in this era. Their choices regarding marriage partners, finances, and how they spent their time were largely governed by men. This rather short novel will nevertheless leave a big impression.
Henry James gives reader great insight as to how women were oppressed in this era. Their choices regarding marriage partners, finances, and how they spent their time were largely governed by men. This rather short novel will nevertheless leave a big impression.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Really enjoyed this, after having struggled with The Turn of the Screw. Encouraged now to pursue more Henry James.
emotional
reflective
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:
Yes
Definitely watch “The Heiress” with Olivia de Havilland - wonderful film adaptation of this book.
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes