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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
another depressing yet wonderful novel about a depressing yet wonderful woman who just can't catch a break. despised by her father for being too plain and simple, scorned by her fiancee because of money, catherine has quite a pathetic existance.
i remembered that i read this book only recently, after catching "the heiress" on TCM.
i remembered that i read this book only recently, after catching "the heiress" on TCM.
I'm of two minds when it comes to this book. On the one hand, the writing and James' observations are exquisitely on point, and he is able to create such a fleshed out story with so little story-line. On the other, I disliked all the characters. I did sympathize with Catherine, and in a way, even with Morris, but I did not connect to them. I've found this to be the case with other books by Henry James as well as Edith Wharton. They are such masters of language, but for me, they are not as acutely talented in drawing out characters with whom I have an affinity. I never perceived great passion or chemistry between any of the characters, so the "love story" did not strike me as terribly authentic or believable. That being said, I did strangely enjoy it. After reading far too much news in recent months, and quite a number or creepy thrillers, I felt a need for beautiful language, and eloquence in a world where some days it seems there is decidedly too little of either. I wasn't looking for a book to break my heart or fully engage all my emotions. I read this because I trust James to provide something of linguistic beauty, and in that respect, I was quite satisfied.
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Great lil story. Nothin earth-shattering, but I was pleasantly expected. Don't think I've read James before, have no idea what his reputation is, but this was just a brutally honest portrayal of how people are awful.
Summary.
Girl has a rich dad. She's not pretty, not interesting, but she's nice dammit. And she stands to inherit a good deal of money.
She has a suitor, a good looking young man, but the dad doesn't buy it. He thinks the man is just in it for money. *Spoiler* He's eventually proven right, but he's such a dick about it that his poor daughter just feels so much worse. He's not in the least comforting, he stubbornly insists he's right- and the fact that he is doesn't matter, he was still awful regarding the emotional consideration he should have when saying "I don't think he really loves you, I just think he wants the money, so there will be no money if you marry him."
A young woman (Catherine) falls for a charming young bachelor but her father, the rich widower Dr. Sloper, disapproves of the seemingly honest young wooer. He vows that, should Catherine marry him she will be disavowed and the young man will get nothing of inheritance or dowry. The resulting drama plays out over the next 4/5ths of the book- will they or won't they? Is the young man (Morris Townsend) truly in love or is it a facade? SPOILER ahead-
From wiki: The bitterest irony in the story is that Dr. Sloper, a brilliant and successful physician, is exactly right about Morris Townsend, and yet he is cruel to his defenceless and loving daughter.
That about sums it up- Townsend takes off in a huff, poor dull Catherine stays single all her days, never a love interest again. Townsend reappears years later, fatter, less charismatic, and Catherine rejects his attempt at friendship.
Really a very enjoyable read, it's just not earth-shattering in any way. It is fantastic character modeling- Catherine is portrayed in unflinching tones, dull in personality and appearance. She grows into a woman at least aware of this, and seemingly largely at comfort with it. Townsend, meanwhile, is that guy who peaked in high school, and you see the worm wiggling out of the apple as the story moves along. There's enough mystery to keep it interesting, and thus the conclusion satisfies as well. Really really good stuff, nice little 1880s Victorian (?) how do-ya-do about a poor girl left heartbroken by a bastard- timeless, really.
Summary.
Girl has a rich dad. She's not pretty, not interesting, but she's nice dammit. And she stands to inherit a good deal of money.
She has a suitor, a good looking young man, but the dad doesn't buy it. He thinks the man is just in it for money. *Spoiler* He's eventually proven right, but he's such a dick about it that his poor daughter just feels so much worse. He's not in the least comforting, he stubbornly insists he's right- and the fact that he is doesn't matter, he was still awful regarding the emotional consideration he should have when saying "I don't think he really loves you, I just think he wants the money, so there will be no money if you marry him."
A young woman (Catherine) falls for a charming young bachelor but her father, the rich widower Dr. Sloper, disapproves of the seemingly honest young wooer. He vows that, should Catherine marry him she will be disavowed and the young man will get nothing of inheritance or dowry. The resulting drama plays out over the next 4/5ths of the book- will they or won't they? Is the young man (Morris Townsend) truly in love or is it a facade? SPOILER ahead-
From wiki: The bitterest irony in the story is that Dr. Sloper, a brilliant and successful physician, is exactly right about Morris Townsend, and yet he is cruel to his defenceless and loving daughter.
That about sums it up- Townsend takes off in a huff, poor dull Catherine stays single all her days, never a love interest again. Townsend reappears years later, fatter, less charismatic, and Catherine rejects his attempt at friendship.
Really a very enjoyable read, it's just not earth-shattering in any way. It is fantastic character modeling- Catherine is portrayed in unflinching tones, dull in personality and appearance. She grows into a woman at least aware of this, and seemingly largely at comfort with it. Townsend, meanwhile, is that guy who peaked in high school, and you see the worm wiggling out of the apple as the story moves along. There's enough mystery to keep it interesting, and thus the conclusion satisfies as well. Really really good stuff, nice little 1880s Victorian (?) how do-ya-do about a poor girl left heartbroken by a bastard- timeless, really.
This book inspired The Heiress with Bette Davis. Catherine Sloper shows the power of pacifity.
I really loved this book. Something about the way it was written, I just really liked it even though there was never really a lot going on lol.
Sometimes being alone is better then being with someone who doesn't fully appreciate you. I read this book at a time when this became an important life lesson.
reflective
sad
tense
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
Mehh, it was kinda interesting, but the whole 'will they, won't they' definitely dragged on way too long. The ending was kinda satisfying, but I definitely expected a little more. I'll probably give Henry James another shot in the future
challenging
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A