A review by jeriwho
The American by Henry James

2.0

I never did finish this book. I even stopped caring if the American wins the lady by the end. While Henry James sets up an excellent stage for a great novel, the heaviness of his prose stopped me. Newman was well drawn, but I couldn't get past the stilted, cumbersome style to settle down and enjoy an American's depiction of a happy, optimistic, somewhat arrogant but good hearted American plummeting into the depths of old and corrupt French aristocracy. And then the plot lost its way. I never could get into Henry James after trying this one novel. Good luck to you if you attempt it!