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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Simply, I couldn't stand this book-even though the language was beautiful. The actual content of this novel was boring, and not at all in my style. Additionally, the point (if there was one) was totally lost on me.
I was somewhat vindicated to read that even James admitted that his book was basically boring. It didn't make me feel good enough to NOT regret reading this 500-page snoozer, but it was a small victory.
Dickens is more my speed-James had an annoying habit of going to into long-winded monologues describing his characters, rather than just demonstrating who they are through actions, their direct speech, or internal monologues. It was exhausting-and generally not illuminating in any real way.
I don't recommend this book, unless you're desperate to read all the books "in the canon."
I was somewhat vindicated to read that even James admitted that his book was basically boring. It didn't make me feel good enough to NOT regret reading this 500-page snoozer, but it was a small victory.
Dickens is more my speed-James had an annoying habit of going to into long-winded monologues describing his characters, rather than just demonstrating who they are through actions, their direct speech, or internal monologues. It was exhausting-and generally not illuminating in any real way.
I don't recommend this book, unless you're desperate to read all the books "in the canon."
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Exquisitely written story that should alternatively titled as "Gossippy Gossip Gossip!" Basically, in an artful yet drawn out story of the coolest chick ever in the late 1800s giving up her life and freedom to a guy that totally sucks and deciding to stick it out because ... because ... because? The end. Dated and uppity but easy to appreciate the quality of the prose.
4.5 I was kind of puzzled when I started reading this novel, which is one of H. James' most famous ones, because I had such high expectations. At the beginning the story and writing were decent, but not, in my opinion, showcasing James' best qualities of writing and character building as I've experienced in his other novels. We rarely seemed to dig under the surface and I was equally intrigued and disappointed a bit. And then came the last third of the book. There he was, Henry James in his fabulous writing glory, finally. I now get why this book is so revered. Is this James' best work overall? In my opinion, no. But, does it have some of his best pieces of writing, inner monologues and scenes? Definitely. So, half a star less for keeping me waiting for a while to experience utter brilliance. But the paitience was rewarded tenfold in the end.
Reminded me of Liaisons Dangereuses and with a lot of psychological depth. Surprisingly a page-turner. I think the only 'flaw' of the book was that Isabel isn't a very compelling protagonist until the end (possibly a result of her passivity in the plot) and other characters - like Ralph Touchett or, especially, Madame Merle - are far more interesting. Also, the constant reappearance of Goodwood and Lord Warburton was a little annoying and made the book drag a bit towards the end; conversely I thought we didn't get to know Osmond that well. Not sure what to think of that ending.
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced