Washington Square
The plot of Washington Square has the simplicity of old-fashioned melodrama: a plain-looking, good-hearted young woman, the only child of a rich widower, is pursued by a charming but unscrupulous man who seeks the wealth she will presumably inherit. On this premise, Henry James constructed one of his most memorable novels, a story in which love is answered with betrayal an...more
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
April 6th 2004
by Signet Classics
(first published 1880)
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Henry James is Gangnam style
Gangnam style
Catherine Sloper is warm and humanle during the day
A classy girl who know how to enjoy the freedom of a cup of coffee
A girl whose heart gets hotter when night comes
A girl with that kind of twist
I’m a guy called Morris Townsend
A guy who is as warm as you during the day
A guy who one-shots his coffee before it even cools down
A guy whose heart bursts when night comes
That kind of guy

Beautiful, loveable
Yes you, Catherine Sloper, yes you, hey
Beautiful, loveable
Y...more
Gangnam style
Catherine Sloper is warm and humanle during the day
A classy girl who know how to enjoy the freedom of a cup of coffee
A girl whose heart gets hotter when night comes
A girl with that kind of twist
I’m a guy called Morris Townsend
A guy who is as warm as you during the day
A guy who one-shots his coffee before it even cools down
A guy whose heart bursts when night comes
That kind of guy
Beautiful, loveable
Yes you, Catherine Sloper, yes you, hey
Beautiful, loveable
Y...more
Time the 1840's, in New York City.Catherine Sloper, a twenty-one year old woman.Daughter of a prominent and wealthy doctor.You'd think all the young men would be trying to marry her.But Catherine is plain of face and very shy.There's a good probability, that she'll remain a spinster, till the end of life. Catherine adores her father, and is intimidated in his presence.A very intelligent man, Dr.Austin Sloper is.The widower, invites his widow sister Lavinia, to stay at the Washington Square mansi...more
I love this book so much I can't bear it. As someone who adores just about every last word that Henry James (over-) wrote, it has never gotten any more deliciously (un-)satisfying than this -- a slim, tart little novel about plain, socially unpromising Catherine Sloper, whose wealthy father refuses to allow her to marry Morris Townsend, whom he believes to be mercenary. No matter how many times I read this book, the question still nags at me: "Does Morris have any feeling at all for Catherine, o...more
I had read Daisy Miller and enjoyed it so I thought I would like another Henry James novel, Washington Square. Furthermore, one of the remarks on the cover said something about the man writing as good a family story as Jane Austen. What could be better?
A lot of things actually.
I even read somewhere that James didn't like the novel so he didn't include it in his anthology. I'm surprised he made it through the first time knowing the ending as he presumably did.
Staged in New York City, Washington...more
A lot of things actually.
I even read somewhere that James didn't like the novel so he didn't include it in his anthology. I'm surprised he made it through the first time knowing the ending as he presumably did.
Staged in New York City, Washington...more
(Reprinted from the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography [cclapcenter.com]. I am the original author of this essay, as well as the owner of CCLaP; it is not being reprinted here illegally.)
The CCLaP 100: In which I read a hundred so-called "classic" books for the first time, then file reports on whether or not I think they deserve the label
Book #10: Washington Square, by Henry James (1880)
The story in a nutshell:
Agreed by most to definitely be one of his minor works, Washington Square i...more
The CCLaP 100: In which I read a hundred so-called "classic" books for the first time, then file reports on whether or not I think they deserve the label
Book #10: Washington Square, by Henry James (1880)
The story in a nutshell:
Agreed by most to definitely be one of his minor works, Washington Square i...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I used to hate Henry James. I really did. I tried to read The Aspern Papers when I was deep into my thesis on Byron and couldn't get through it. I tried to read Portrait of a Lady and found Isabel Archer annoying at best, although I couldn't quite describe why she irritated me so much. I abandoned James for a long time. Last month I decided to start on his shorter novels and see if I could build up a tolerance for him. Lo, I seem to have done it.
I can't say that this book was brilliant by any d...more
I can't say that this book was brilliant by any d...more
Oct 11, 2007
Elena
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
People who have sat through the 6-hour BBC version of Pride and Predudice more than once
Engrossed in this book after the first few chapters, I read further with slight irritation because I couldn't pin down why I was so into it. Even the Austinian precision with which James paints his characters should have been overshadowed by a heroine who was "plain, dull" and lacking in intelligence. But it wasn't. I read the introduction after fininshing the book, and I think this is why:
"James commends Balzac for the way he so obviously loves his characters, not for any virues they may posses...more
"James commends Balzac for the way he so obviously loves his characters, not for any virues they may posses...more
I did not like any character in this book, and found myself actually despising Catherine the most(close runner-up: Dr. Sloper, her father). The only part of the entire novel that was even remotely likable was the last few chapters, and Catherine redeemed herself a bit for me in the end. James' actual writing is quite good of course (hence my 2 star instead of 1 star rating), but I would have to disagree with an assessment from Graham Greene that was on the back sleeve of my copy: "The delicate,...more
I enjoy the writing style of Henry James, but the story itself... Ugh.
I kept thinking surely there are going to be some major plot twists, some sort of revelations or scandal to spice things up, or even some drastic unexpected course of action taken by someone or another... Instead the story mostly consists of a pack of unlikable people sitting around either scorning or deluding each other, and one spineless, milquetoast "heroine" stuck in the middle of it all, whom I spent most of the book des...more
I kept thinking surely there are going to be some major plot twists, some sort of revelations or scandal to spice things up, or even some drastic unexpected course of action taken by someone or another... Instead the story mostly consists of a pack of unlikable people sitting around either scorning or deluding each other, and one spineless, milquetoast "heroine" stuck in the middle of it all, whom I spent most of the book des...more
Not my edition, but you can't get too picky on here or it won't let you add anything. Mine is a worn but still well-bound gray Modern Library copy from around the 1950s or 1960s, and I'm pretty attached to it. The type and layout seem to go very nicely with the crispness of the book itself. This is the book I ended up writing on at the end of my spring semester 07 class, after presenting on its connections to William James's pragmatism (even though that was written many years later). It's very A...more
Call me idealistic, but to me the point of calling someone a heroine, is reserved for someone at the least having qualities that surprise you, or that maybe make you sympathize for that person, through whatever happens to them in the story, or their thoughts.
What goes on in Catherine's mind? Who will ever know? I only felt uncomfortable while reading this book. Not an enjoyable read for me. I suppose you could say it is always a better description of any book, to do at least that, make you cring...more
Hmmm... seeing how this is a "classic," I feel like I shouldn't give it only three stars; however, it was just so SAD. Heavy. I suppose credit should be given to James for eloquently capturing and displaying the world of the narcissitc and delusional. Apparently, many have been inspired by the determined, yet resigned heroine. Part of what makes her so heroic is her complete departure from what was appropriate of a girl at her age in her culture.
This is one of the five classics that I plan to re...more
This is one of the five classics that I plan to re...more
Strangely addictive and impossible to put down, this novel grows on you like persistent ivy, takes you down the path of a deliciously and slowly narrated story, and in the end leaves you completely dissatisfied, puzzled, and aggravated that the anticipated sweet spot never comes.
I had no idea about the plot beforehand. The novel is written from the perspective of a third-person observer who years later recounts the story that happened at Washington Square in NY. I liked the setting and the stor...more
I had no idea about the plot beforehand. The novel is written from the perspective of a third-person observer who years later recounts the story that happened at Washington Square in NY. I liked the setting and the stor...more
My second book by James and I still remain unimpressed when comparing him to Lawrence, Hardy or the Brontë sisters. Even to Austen.
I know he writes about different times, different places and with different aims, but even though I appreciate his correct and composed style, I miss the passionate accounts of other classic authors.
In "Washington Square" the setting takes place in the late XIXth New York where we are introduced to the Sloper family, consisting basically of the well respected and int...more
I know he writes about different times, different places and with different aims, but even though I appreciate his correct and composed style, I miss the passionate accounts of other classic authors.
In "Washington Square" the setting takes place in the late XIXth New York where we are introduced to the Sloper family, consisting basically of the well respected and int...more
I enjoyed this book more than I was expecting to. I have not succeeded very well with Henry James in the past and chose this as a last ditch attempt to like his work. It’s one of his earlier works, published in 1880, so less impressionistic than the later stuff. It really helped that it had a plot. (I confess to liking stories where something actually happens). But it’s not exactly a cheery read. It also suffers from the general problem that I have with James, which is to be saturated with world...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Dec 17, 2012
Dr. Tim
added it
This is a book I read a few years ago but recently saw a stage production of it, renamed, The Heiress. Put simply, this book is all about the complicated, stifled and often oppressive relationship between a daughter and her widowed father and his dislike of her new suitor. Throw in an eccentric, hopelessly romantic aunt and the already testing dynamic of the home is further tested.
Wealth, grief, familial disappointment, romance, greed, charm and rebellion are all to be found within the pages of...more
Wealth, grief, familial disappointment, romance, greed, charm and rebellion are all to be found within the pages of...more
have we got the correct edition here? read by Jennifer Ehle, which will be important later in the review.
as for the book itself! i can't quite understand why James so disliked this book, unless it was inadequately ornate for him. i found it a rather harrowing depiction of ways people can be cruel to those they are supposed to love best.
the logline: when a feckless fortune-hunter zeroes in on the rather dense young heroine, her father suddenly turns out to be her worst enemy, followed closely by...more
as for the book itself! i can't quite understand why James so disliked this book, unless it was inadequately ornate for him. i found it a rather harrowing depiction of ways people can be cruel to those they are supposed to love best.
the logline: when a feckless fortune-hunter zeroes in on the rather dense young heroine, her father suddenly turns out to be her worst enemy, followed closely by...more
Jul 18, 2012
Katsumi
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
classics,
romance-erotic-affairs
Washinton Square is an engaging story in the fact that it fixes your attention. I was very interested to find out what would become of Catherine Sloper. She is an innocent heroine pursued by a selfish man(Morris Townsend)for her fortune she stands to inherit. Her father is right in his assumption that Morris is a fortunehunter and does all in his power to stop a marriage from taking place. However, his motives are not purely to keep his daughter from unhappiness. They are mainly focused on vanqu...more
Catherine (h)a tre facce.
Catherine è di proprietà del Dottor Sloper.
Catherine è il gingillo preferito di Lavinia Penniman.
Catherine è l'oggetto del desiderio di Morris.
Ma Catherine è anche Catherine, una ragazza dolce (scialba), remissiva (insignificante) e rispettosa (ordinaria), che è inaspettatamente tenace e caparbia, capace di tener testa a tutti e tre: l'autoritario Dottor Austin Sloper, il padre, l'arrampicatore Morris Townsend, il fidanzato, e la pettegola Mrs. Penniman, la zia.
Catherine...more
Catherine è di proprietà del Dottor Sloper.
Catherine è il gingillo preferito di Lavinia Penniman.
Catherine è l'oggetto del desiderio di Morris.
Ma Catherine è anche Catherine, una ragazza dolce (scialba), remissiva (insignificante) e rispettosa (ordinaria), che è inaspettatamente tenace e caparbia, capace di tener testa a tutti e tre: l'autoritario Dottor Austin Sloper, il padre, l'arrampicatore Morris Townsend, il fidanzato, e la pettegola Mrs. Penniman, la zia.
Catherine...more
La prima notazione che voglio fare è che per me Henry James soffriva di personalità multipla perchè non è possibile che sia lo stesso autore di Ritratto di signora, non si inzuccano in nulla i due romanzi, come stile e come personaggi e come modo di portare avanti una storia.
Inizialmente ho pensato che rispetto ad altre cose che avevo letto di James fosse troppo semplice stilisticamente, troppo "fuori stile" appunto (vabbè che non ho letto un suo romanzo che sia uguale a un altro) poi invece mi...more
Inizialmente ho pensato che rispetto ad altre cose che avevo letto di James fosse troppo semplice stilisticamente, troppo "fuori stile" appunto (vabbè che non ho letto un suo romanzo che sia uguale a un altro) poi invece mi...more
Catherine Sloper is a not-so-young woman who really hasn’t much to recommend her or to attract a husband. She is somewhat plain, not terribly intelligent, not accomplished in music, dance, conversation or art. However, she does have a significant income (from her mother’s estate) and expectations of inheriting far more from her father, a brilliant physician in mid-19th-century New York City. At her cousin’s engagement party she meets a handsome gentleman, who, encouraged by her widowed Aunt Lavi...more
I had to hand it to Mr. James for making sure both Catherine's father and the slick Morris Townsend did not get what they most desired in the end. Even though she was manipulated by both, it is she who holds the lynchpin for their personal revenge. And revenge is an act she will not allow. So, to credit the wit of Mr. James, all three characters are left to unrequited desire. So tragic . . .
If you enjoy formal language and incisive descriptions of characters, then Henry James might be suitable...more
If you enjoy formal language and incisive descriptions of characters, then Henry James might be suitable...more
I'd picked this book up on one of my library runs, thinking it would be like reading Jane Austen, except that it wouldn’t be the landed gentry in 18th century England being dissected, but 19th century New York society instead. But Catherine Sloper, the heroine of Washington Square, is no match for any of Austen’s heroines. Her father thinks her plain, dull, uninspired and insipid. And he’s absolutely right! Whereas Austen’s heroines are full of spunk, if not vivacious and attractive, Catherine i...more
Washington Square marks the first of what will probably be several books visited because of my recent reading of Reading Lolita in Tehran. I'm pretty sure the only James I had read prior to this book was Daisy Miller, which I read for literature classes in both high school and college. I remember distinctly disliking it in high school (because "nothing happens and it just ends") although I think I did like it more the second time around.
Washington Square is the story of Miss Catherine Sloper, a...more
Washington Square is the story of Miss Catherine Sloper, a...more
I love it when I get completely blown away by my own prejudices :) A prejudice I had no idea I had was that all books in ‘Penguin Classic Yellow edged cover with dark picture’ books are…. boring.
I wonder where I got that from. Actually I know. I was given Hard Times to read as part of S Level preparation; I didn’t like the first chapter (actually, I didn’t like the TV adaptation either) and a assigned all books with that style of cover to the *Boring Book Archive*
Sometimes I wonder when exactly...more
I wonder where I got that from. Actually I know. I was given Hard Times to read as part of S Level preparation; I didn’t like the first chapter (actually, I didn’t like the TV adaptation either) and a assigned all books with that style of cover to the *Boring Book Archive*
Sometimes I wonder when exactly...more
I promised my friend Julie a few reviews, so I'll crank them out to start the New year on the right literary foot-Ha!Ha!, and, of course to keep my promise, as she's always sending me the best audio books, for which I'm very grateful.
I enjoyed the plot and the characters of this book, but most of all I've enjoyed the subplots and the subtexts. I also like the suspense created by the omniscient narrator who gives out scrapes of information for us to assemble the larger puzzle of love, as well as...more
I enjoyed the plot and the characters of this book, but most of all I've enjoyed the subplots and the subtexts. I also like the suspense created by the omniscient narrator who gives out scrapes of information for us to assemble the larger puzzle of love, as well as...more
Apr 30, 2010
Ria Lize
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
eh, I dunno. Those who love classics, I guess.
Recommended to Ria Lize by:
This book was actually my sister's. But I picked it up.
Washington Square is a touching story about how a woman whose purpose had once been to please her father, changed into a complete person, a stronger person who has found her sense of self.
Catherine was never accepted by her father since the death of his son from an illness and because of his wife's death over giving birth to Catherine. She is described as plain and shy, and is scared of her father.
What I love about the story is that it actually shows you the whole experience. She trusted and l...more
Catherine was never accepted by her father since the death of his son from an illness and because of his wife's death over giving birth to Catherine. She is described as plain and shy, and is scared of her father.
What I love about the story is that it actually shows you the whole experience. She trusted and l...more
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Henry James, OM, son of theologian Henry James Sr., brother of the philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James, was an American-born author, one of the founders and leaders of a school of realism in fiction. He spent much of his life in England and became a British subject shortly before his death. He is primarily known for a series of major novels in which he portrayed the...more
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“Don’t underestimate the value of irony—it is extremely valuable.”
—
49 people liked it
“do you think it is
better to be clever than to be good?”
“Good for what?” asked the Doctor. “You are good for
nothing unless you are clever.”
—
9 people liked it
More quotes…
better to be clever than to be good?”
“Good for what?” asked the Doctor. “You are good for
nothing unless you are clever.”











































For so long have I dreamed of a lady of kind open heart & so please forward photo and all personal particulars when convenient. Es...more
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