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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
challenging
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
Ok. So the writing was beautiful and I loved that it took place in Manhattan over 100 years ago. But listen, if you read this and expect something to actually happen (anything, anything at all to move the plot along) then you will be sorely mistaken.
lighthearted
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:
Yes
Although it is not one of the best stories I have ever read, it was nice enough. I found it very refreshing that a nineteenth-century novel (or novella in this case) can have a heroine who is not the epitome of beauty and grace. I love a good Victorian romance, but this story full of promise, disappointment, and above all money, is something different for a change.
This was a rereading, and I enjoyed James's style and cruel wit far more this time.
After the Bostonians, I had no interest in more Henry James. But I did like the movie of Washington Square, and wondered if the book might be one (sort of like Mansfield Park) where the characters kind of run away from the author, and the overall impact is not what the author intends. But no. This is just your regular James misogyny.
Washington Square is a touching story about how a woman whose purpose had once been to please her father, changed into a complete person, a stronger person who has found her sense of self.
Catherine was never accepted by her father since the death of his son from an illness and because of his wife's death over giving birth to Catherine. She is described as plain and shy, and is scared of her father.
What I love about the story is that it actually shows you the whole experience. She trusted and loved Morris, she loved her father very much and her greatest desire was to please him, and yet towards the end, she gains her own confidence. She defies him. She becomes a complete person, not subservient, but forming her own will and stubbornness she never had. The change in Catherine is amazing and it touches me deeply in many levels.
This transformation in her character becomes clear as the story progresses and this progress is what I believe makes this book truly unique and timeless. There is so much emotion in the characters, and there is growth in Catherine's character that watching her build her own self from the person she used to be makes it a stand out.
Catherine was never accepted by her father since the death of his son from an illness and because of his wife's death over giving birth to Catherine. She is described as plain and shy, and is scared of her father.
What I love about the story is that it actually shows you the whole experience. She trusted and loved Morris, she loved her father very much and her greatest desire was to please him, and yet towards the end, she gains her own confidence. She defies him. She becomes a complete person, not subservient, but forming her own will and stubbornness she never had. The change in Catherine is amazing and it touches me deeply in many levels.
This transformation in her character becomes clear as the story progresses and this progress is what I believe makes this book truly unique and timeless. There is so much emotion in the characters, and there is growth in Catherine's character that watching her build her own self from the person she used to be makes it a stand out.
We love a self respected and developed women of the 19th century, Catherine! Also I aspire to be as dramatic as Lavinia Penniman! The writing style in this book was insane! I absolutely loved it. I'm studying this novel this semester and I can't wait to analyse it bits by bits. This whole book is like a stage, with Henry James as director.
I'm a fan of the old movie The Heiress which is based on this book which is what prompted me to read it. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed it as much if I didn't have the actors performances in my mind. There are differences between the book and the movie, and personally I liked the movie choices better. But it was still a good read although I did find the writing a little dry.
Somewhat stilted novel of manners in New York in the 1800s. Really only four characters, none of them very appealing. I kept reading it because it was short and I was curious to see if anything would develop.