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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
To boil this book down to the sum of its plot would be a true injustice of the highest order. A brief summary cannot capture James' beautiful and stunning writing style, his mastery of introspection, or his artfully crafted characters.
I had intended on slowly savoring the story, reading it a bit at a time as it was released in 1880. Unfortunately, I couldn't adhere to my schedule. I read it in frantic spouts and had to often remind myself to put it back down.
The language is intricate and intentional. I lose myself in his writing. The dialogue is equally poignant and touching. I wish that I could converse with these creatures. Some of my favorite bits are as follows.
"I'm absorbed in myself. I look at life too much as a doctor's prescription. Why indeed should we be perpetually thinking whether things or good for us, as if we were patients in a hospital? Why should I be so afraid of not doing right? As if it mattered to the world!" Isabel states, albeit ironically, considering her future decisions.
"A woman's natural mission is to be where she's most appreciated." --Madame Merle, which is all the more tragic considering the discovery the reader makes about her as the book continues.
"One never said the things one wanted--one remembered them an hour afterward. On the other hand one usually said a lot of things one shouldn't, simply from a sense that one had to say something. Such a sense was upsetting; it muddled one's wits." --the thoughts of Lord Warbuton
"Oh, I confess that; I don't want to know anything more--I know too much already. The more you know, the more unhappy you are." --The Countess Gemini
"Mr. Goodwood speaks a good deal, but he doesn't talk." --Osmond regarding Caspar Goodwood
"To live only to suffer--only to feel the injury of life repeated and enlarged--it seemed to her she was too valuable, too capable, for that. Then she wondered if she were vain and stupid to think so well of herself. When had it even been a guarantee to be valuable?" This self-pitying inner monologue that Isabel embarks on is too real for me.
Part of my awe of James comes from his ability to create reality so well. This story isn't a happy one, but it is truthful. Though existentialism would come some 60 years later, I imagine Isabel to function in an existential crisis of sorts -- bound to her decisions and damned to pay the consequences. Not unlike Sister Carrie, Isabel's introspection serves to be her downfall.
I adore the cast that James has assembled. His characters are not without faults, but neither is any character a true villain. Even the most despised, Gilbert Osmond, has his motives laid clear. Insecurity may be a fault, but it doesn't make him evil.
I close this book with a sigh, the experience done. They just don't write novels like they used to.
I had intended on slowly savoring the story, reading it a bit at a time as it was released in 1880. Unfortunately, I couldn't adhere to my schedule. I read it in frantic spouts and had to often remind myself to put it back down.
The language is intricate and intentional. I lose myself in his writing. The dialogue is equally poignant and touching. I wish that I could converse with these creatures. Some of my favorite bits are as follows.
"I'm absorbed in myself. I look at life too much as a doctor's prescription. Why indeed should we be perpetually thinking whether things or good for us, as if we were patients in a hospital? Why should I be so afraid of not doing right? As if it mattered to the world!" Isabel states, albeit ironically, considering her future decisions.
"A woman's natural mission is to be where she's most appreciated." --Madame Merle, which is all the more tragic considering the discovery the reader makes about her as the book continues.
"One never said the things one wanted--one remembered them an hour afterward. On the other hand one usually said a lot of things one shouldn't, simply from a sense that one had to say something. Such a sense was upsetting; it muddled one's wits." --the thoughts of Lord Warbuton
"Oh, I confess that; I don't want to know anything more--I know too much already. The more you know, the more unhappy you are." --The Countess Gemini
"Mr. Goodwood speaks a good deal, but he doesn't talk." --Osmond regarding Caspar Goodwood
"To live only to suffer--only to feel the injury of life repeated and enlarged--it seemed to her she was too valuable, too capable, for that. Then she wondered if she were vain and stupid to think so well of herself. When had it even been a guarantee to be valuable?" This self-pitying inner monologue that Isabel embarks on is too real for me.
Part of my awe of James comes from his ability to create reality so well. This story isn't a happy one, but it is truthful. Though existentialism would come some 60 years later, I imagine Isabel to function in an existential crisis of sorts -- bound to her decisions and damned to pay the consequences. Not unlike Sister Carrie, Isabel's introspection serves to be her downfall.
I adore the cast that James has assembled. His characters are not without faults, but neither is any character a true villain. Even the most despised, Gilbert Osmond, has his motives laid clear. Insecurity may be a fault, but it doesn't make him evil.
I close this book with a sigh, the experience done. They just don't write novels like they used to.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
IK HAAT GILBERT OSMOND
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-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
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny
Moderate: Death
Minor: Miscarriage
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'm so conflicted about this book. James did an amazing job of setting the scene and fleshing out characters. However, at times it was incredibly tedious. I found myself wishing intently for it to end already. At one point I put the book down for several months, but was able to pick it back up with no problems. Things definitely do not happen quickly in this one!