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Amazon.co.uk Review
The American is built around a moral dilemma that dramatises this clash of cultures. Wealthy, open-hearted Christopher Newman (the New Man in the Old World) visits Paris and falls in love with impoverished French aristocrat, Claire de Cintre. However, her snobbish family bully her into breaking off the engagement. When Newman discovers that his former fiancée's family are hiding a dark secret, corrupt Old World morals suggest he should use it to take his revenge; but his simpler American sense tells him that this would be wrong. What should he do? The fine touch with which James explores the complexities of this scenario markes an extraordinary advance over his first novel, Roderick Hudson; and The American looks forward to the mature classics of James' middle period, books like Daisy Miller and Portrai t of a Lady--all novels that explore the classic Jamesian theme of Americans in Europe. --Adam Roberts --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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On a brilliant day in May, in the year 1868, a gentleman was reclining at his ease on the great circular divan which at that period occupied the centre of the Salon Carre, in the Museum of the Louvre. Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
It is 1868 and Christopher Newman has arrived in Paris after selling up all his business interests in the US. Feeling that he neeeded a change in life Newman has decided to visit Europe. Whilst arranging to buy a copy of a painting he meets up with an old acquaintance and has dinner with him and his wife. It is his friend's wife who gets Newman interested in Claire de Cintre, a widower from a unhappy previous marriage. Claire de Cintre is from a very old family, the Bellegardes, who have fallen on hard times. Although things look like they are going all right between Newman and Claire can her family reconcile themselves to an alliance between a nouveu riche with no title?
This is a romance that starts off quite light and frothy but by degrees becomes much darker, taking in family duty, a skeleton in the closet and, pride; becoming a serious melodrama that starts to show those subtlties that James is famous for. This isn't by any degree the best of James' novels but it is still way and above more eloquent and better than most novels.
James' third novel continues the theme introduced in its predecessor, that of Americans in Europe and the consequent interaction of New World culture and manners with the Old. Newman's good nature elicits our sympathy as he struggles against blatant rudeness and ambivalent hostility for acceptance by the family who control the woman he loves. And he has no allies save for the Tristrams, and Valentin the younger de Bellegarde brother whose tragic demise Newman brings about quite unconsciously having introduced him to the provocative Madamoiselle Noemie Nioche.
It's a novel with a plot, unfolding smoothly with each chapter taking the story forward from the previous in an unbroken line. It's couched in clear unadorned prose that is an absolute joy to read. The sub-plots, barely noticeable as such, interact relevantly with the main thrust and are an interest without being a diversion. As the narrative unwinds and the pace quickens the reader begins to feel that Newman's early success is not destined to last. It isn't.
Poignancy, drama, succinctly drawn scenes, irony, humour and dynamic dialogue, especially the verbal fencing between Newman and the de Bellegarde seniors, are all here and make compelling reading. The novel's overall effect is riveting. It's a masterwork; right off the top shelf.
The story involves Christopher Newman, a wealthy American businessman, during the Paris portion of his European tour. Romance seems be a large part of what he is looking for. The first suggestion that he may have found it occurs in his encounter with the artist, Noemie Nioche. This turns out to be merely a passing fancy. Things get more serious when his American friends, Mr. and Mrs. Tristan put him in contact with an attractive young widow, Claire de Cintre.
Madame de Cintre, nee Bellegarde, whose first marriage had been arranged to an elderly nobleman who gave her a title, but little else. Upon meeting Newman, both seem to find what they are looking for in the world of romance. As the story develops it becomes clear that it is sufficient for Newman to win Claire but that he must also win over her family, which consisted of her mother, Madame de Bellegarde and her brother, Urbaine, the Marquis de Bellegarde.
The House of Bellegarde was full of pride and tradition, but short of money. As the Bellegardes size up Newman, it becomes obvious that they are weighing the sale of their pride for Newman's money. Ultimately they reach their decision. In their last meeting, Claire informed Newman of that she was to become a nun. Although shocked, Newman could not persuade Claire to break free of her family's rule and breath the free air which comes so naturally to an American.
Given one piece of evidence, Newman attempts to recover Claire back through blackmail. When the Bellegardes refuse to submit, Newman destroys his evidence. Up to the very end, the reader is left hoping for the happy ending, but he hopes in vain.
For the romantic, this book provides an inspiring love story. For the historian, it provides a glimpse into the life of Nineteenth Century Aristocracy on two continents. For the lover of freedom, it provides a struggle between New World freedom and individuality and Old World tradition and bonds of consanguinity. With something for everyone, The American is a worthwhile read for all.
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