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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
This was my introduction to Henry James. This work is steeped in mystery and suspense. The narrator is obsessed with a poet named Jeffrey Aspern and is willing to do whatever it takes to obtain whatever information he can about the man. Although the setting is in 19th century Italy, it definitely could take place in the present. Sometimes people become intrigued by the unknown and it drives them. This is the case for the narrator of this story. It is definitely a quick read for 80 pages. I did have to read this for class but I'd read it again. I would also like to have a visual; ironically it is being made into a film that is set to be released sometime in 2019. I guess I will have to see if it holds up to the story.
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Aspern Papers offers a very disagreeable beginning for the modern reader. Although one could be remiss to not mention that it does escalate in the tamest ways. It's a classic story of the manipulator being manipulated. The unnamed narrator is a critic whose monomania nearly brings him to throw away his life, in a sense and it is only prevented by fate, as it were.
Once the reader gets a whiff of what's going on, the crux of the story, it's a breezy read. The sentences might take longer to read, but the reader will find themselves acclimated to them after a few pages. The characters are very drawn out. It essentially involves three characters and all of them don't turn out to be what the reader might expect of them. The Critic, who is supposed to be ruled by reason, gives in to the whims of emotions. Miss Tina, the niece, who begins as a provincial, simple young woman takes a turn and shows her cunning nature by the end. It is so subtle one might almost believe her intentions to be pure. Julia, a 150-year old woman, who begins as a frail old lady worn out by age and ends with a show of strength.
But it is the end that makes the story worth the reader's time. The entire book is a setup to justify the existence of the final scene. 'Now, this is a story,' readers might exclaim. There is pyrotechnics of 'stratagems and spoils.' Of course, none of it could stand up to the shock and horror of the modern story. But once you settle into this small tale, it does seem immensely gratifying.
Once the reader gets a whiff of what's going on, the crux of the story, it's a breezy read. The sentences might take longer to read, but the reader will find themselves acclimated to them after a few pages. The characters are very drawn out. It essentially involves three characters and all of them don't turn out to be what the reader might expect of them. The Critic, who is supposed to be ruled by reason, gives in to the whims of emotions. Miss Tina, the niece, who begins as a provincial, simple young woman takes a turn and shows her cunning nature by the end. It is so subtle one might almost believe her intentions to be pure. Julia, a 150-year old woman, who begins as a frail old lady worn out by age and ends with a show of strength.
But it is the end that makes the story worth the reader's time. The entire book is a setup to justify the existence of the final scene. 'Now, this is a story,' readers might exclaim. There is pyrotechnics of 'stratagems and spoils.' Of course, none of it could stand up to the shock and horror of the modern story. But once you settle into this small tale, it does seem immensely gratifying.
"It is not supposed to be the nature of women to rise as a general thing to the largest and most liberal view – I mean of a practical scheme; but it has struck me that they sometimes throw off a bold conception – such as a man would not have risen to – with singular serenity'
Perfectly constructed and written, one point missing to five stars for very unlikeable narrator who got on my nerves (but who was written like this on purpose, of course).
I tend to not like books written in first-person that have male manipulator narrators (that are absolutely insufferable), and this book held true for that. Miss Tina in the end is amazing.
http://dsdmona1.blogspot.com.es/2015/11/los-papeles-de-aspern.html
reflective
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