- Paperback: 240 pages
- Publisher: Oxford Paperbacks; Reissue edition (8 May 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0199536163
- ISBN-13: 978-0199536160
- Product Dimensions: 19 x 12.7 x 1.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 911,908 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Washington Square
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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
The inspiration of James's Washington Square (1881) was an anecdote told him by Fanny Kemble about a jilted heiress. The only child of a rich New York physician, shy, unattractive Catherine Sloper falls an easy victim to the attentions of a good-looking fortune-hunter. The clever domineering father whom she adores attempts to blight Catherine's feelings for her suitor, only to succeed in blighting her affection for him. Meanwhile, her meddling aunt, intent on stirring the fires of romance, threatens to turn Catherine's tragic experience into farce.
About the Author
Henry James (1843-1916) was an American novelist, short-story writer, playwright, critic and essayist. He travelled extensively in Europe and became a British subject in 1915. He took the American experience of Europe as the theme of his first important works, his masterpiece of this period being The Portrait of a Lady. He followed this with novels using an American setting, short stories, essays, travel writing, and significant critical studies. He also turned his attention to drama and then in 1898 made his most famous venture into the uncanny with The Turn of the Screw. He returned to America in 1904. His influence in the history of the novel is unquestioned; he was a pioneer of psychological realism and master of a rich, highly complex prose style and an extremely sensitive apprehension of values of character.
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First Sentence
DURING a portion of the first half of the present century, and more particularly during the latter part of it, there flourished and practised in the city of New York a physician who enjoyed perhaps an exceptional share of the consideration which, in the United States, has always been bestowed upon distinguished members of the medical profession. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
DURING a portion of the first half of the present century, and more particularly during the latter part of it, there flourished and practised in the city of New York a physician who enjoyed perhaps an exceptional share of the consideration which, in the United States, has always been bestowed upon distinguished members of the medical profession. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An excellent, short novel that probes the traditionally most important events of a woman's life -- her marriage opportunities. James portrays a woman who is as much the victim in society of her lack of beauty as she is of the two men in her life: a father who is at best negligent and often overtly cruel and a fortune-hunter who is breathtaking to behold but morally empty. James has the courage to demonstrate through Dr. Sloper's character (the father) the hardness and even abusiveness with which men treated women who lacked beauty or great wit. And he added a swain who pretended to treat the heroine in a finer manner, but who was merely after her money. Catherine Sloper learns her lessons slowly but seemingly well. Written beautifully, James has a small masterpiece of social commentary here, with a fair and objective presentation of one woman's life. Delightful to read, but sad that the heroine must cease to search for happiness merely because men have taught her not to trust their protestations of love.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I read this book in my teens; many years ago and i was delighted to find it on Kindle. Re-reading it was every bit as enjoyable as the first time round
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I must admit that this is one of my all time favourite novels, the first time I ever read it I had to go back and read it all over again. Indeed people who don't normally read James seem to love this little story. This is considered to be the story that ended James' apprenticeship, and even if he had only ever written this he would still be remembered today. James later considered this book with contempt, although no one seems to be sure why. This has always been compared to Jane Austen for its elegance and insight, and when reading it it soon becomes apparent why.
The actual plot is supposedly based on a true story that James was told. Dull Catherine is domineered by her brilliant and astute father, and when she meets a young man she wishes to marry. Catherine's father however denies her her choice and threatens to disinherit her if she marries. Taking her away from her beau they do the 'Grand Tour'. As the years progress we see how her life is lived, and then when her former beau returns on the scene we are held in anticipation of whether they will eventually get married.
James shows here how to spin a story of pure brilliance and elegance, much as he did with 'The Turn of the Screw'. It seems to me absolutely amazing that he didn't like this, but then he was a bit of a snob and perhaps being likened to Austen he felt he was being beliitled, after all he was very derogatory of another brilliant writer, Thomas Hardy. There is only one thing to really say about this book, it is a must read.
The actual plot is supposedly based on a true story that James was told. Dull Catherine is domineered by her brilliant and astute father, and when she meets a young man she wishes to marry. Catherine's father however denies her her choice and threatens to disinherit her if she marries. Taking her away from her beau they do the 'Grand Tour'. As the years progress we see how her life is lived, and then when her former beau returns on the scene we are held in anticipation of whether they will eventually get married.
James shows here how to spin a story of pure brilliance and elegance, much as he did with 'The Turn of the Screw'. It seems to me absolutely amazing that he didn't like this, but then he was a bit of a snob and perhaps being likened to Austen he felt he was being beliitled, after all he was very derogatory of another brilliant writer, Thomas Hardy. There is only one thing to really say about this book, it is a must read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Frustratingly satisfying!
As with all Henry James, he is often a tough read. why say 1 sentance when 4 pages need to be filled? Read more
Published 1 month ago by Eve
better than his others, though that's not saying much
Well, a Henry James story that I actually found readable - a first after quickly giving up on Turn of the Screw and In the Cage. Read more
Published 3 months ago by John Hopper
Misplaced passions
In contrast to James's earlier novels, where European and American ideals are often embodied in the form of beautiful women of superficiality on one side and less attractive women... Read more
Published on 27 May 2010 by Keris Nine
Between the Lines
This fascinating novel by James was one of my A-level books and I have returned to it a few times as an adult. Read more
Published on 9 April 2009 by Mr. J. Carr
Washington Square
Washington Square is a compact, tightly constructed story that focuses with almost unwavering gaze upon the Sloper family, or more particularly, on Catherine Sloper, a sweet,... Read more
Published on 22 Oct 2007 by Damian Kelleher
Where To Start Reading Henry.
Forget the old Warner Brothers movie THE HEIRESS. The screenwriters ultimately didn't understand Catherine Sloper, the heroine of WASHINGTON SQUARE, the Henry James novel they... Read more
Published on 22 Feb 2004 by Fred Wemyss
Totally Lovely
I read this book for my A Level class and to begin with we found it a bit wordy and did not identify with Catherine Sloper in the slightest. Read more
Published on 14 July 2003
Excellent Read
This was one of James' finest creations. The budding romance stiffled by the protective father, a reoccuring trauma in every day life brought magnificantly to life in this novel
Published on 19 Aug 2001
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