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The Open Door
“The story is the journey, not the destination. Or so the philosopher’s say. But this is my story, and it has a beginning, a middle, and an end….”
The Open Door is a luminous and profoundly moving novel inspired by the life of Constance Fenimore Woolson, one of the most widely-read and respected American authors of the nineteenth century. Exploring themes of passion, life,...more
The Open Door is a luminous and profoundly moving novel inspired by the life of Constance Fenimore Woolson, one of the most widely-read and respected American authors of the nineteenth century. Exploring themes of passion, life,...more
Hardcover, 236 pages
Published
June 10th 2008
by Other Press
(first published 2008)
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This is the story of Constance Fenimore Woolson's life after her mother died. She traveled to Europe, wrote and made many friends with women and men (some lovers) and friend Henry James (who I thought WHY is she so attached to this self centered man) which we find out later that his interests is with young men. Alice James plays a role, she was quite disagreeable and totally self absorbed. Alice dies from breast cancer, and a letter was sent to Woolson that Alice "gives her permission to Constan...more
I was intrigued by the relationship between Henry James and Constance Fenimore Woolson. This fictional account takes great liberties and makes broad assumptions but is quite facinating. In this book Fenimore is a free spirit who has escaped the strangulation of her family. She is a successful author of 'ladies' novels but craves the real literary conversation and friendship. She is especially in awe of Henry James. She does manage to become his friend although he is obviously disdainful of her w...more
This is the story of Constance Fennimore Woolson, a popular fiction writer of the 19th century and grand-niece of James Fennimore Cooper, set free to pursue her vocation only after fulfilling a protracted family obligation. She ventures to Europe at age 40 with a letter of introduction to the estimable Henry James.
Truman Capote would have labeled this a non-fiction novel, for most of the actual “events” depicted happened just as chronicled here (e.g. dates, deaths, addresses and travel itinera...more
Truman Capote would have labeled this a non-fiction novel, for most of the actual “events” depicted happened just as chronicled here (e.g. dates, deaths, addresses and travel itinera...more
I had orignially intended to read this as a companion piece to Toibin's The Master but it got buried under otehr books in my reading pile and I forgot about it. Partly it was Constance Fennimore Cooper's take on her relationship with Henry James, quite different from the way Toibin/James presented it in The Master. But to me that was the least interesting aspect of the story. What most interested me was how Cooper dealt with being a productive, commerically successful artist; a woman with a stro...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this fictional account of the ahead-of-her-time Constance Fenimore Woolson. The author took great liberty in portraying the thoughts and heart of this amazing woman. Her life is fascinating to follow and her freedom was refreshing to me, in that era she lived in, because it was unusual. She had health problems but loved to walk, row a boat and fish.
She wrote many stories during her lifetime and had a close friendship with Henry James. Her death was deemed an accident, a fal...more
She wrote many stories during her lifetime and had a close friendship with Henry James. Her death was deemed an accident, a fal...more
A quick read. I did some quick research on Constance Fenimore Woolson and Henry James before starting the book and it was very helpful. The focus of this book was supposed to be her relationship with Henry James and I found that whole situation pretty boring. I think both come off as selfish snobs. Still, the story of an independent woman who found commercial success during the late 19th century is always intriguing and the fact that this particualr lady comes to a tragic early end is sad. I do...more
I was pleasantly surprised though there is a lack of subtlty where you really want it and I found the ending most unfortunate. Toibin handled the ambivilence much better in The Master.
Still, very interesting to learn more about Woolson and all plausible enough. I liked how Henry and Alice co-conspired to make Constance a Jamesian heroine - all disappointment and unrequited love. They really were a self-centered bunch.
Still, very interesting to learn more about Woolson and all plausible enough. I liked how Henry and Alice co-conspired to make Constance a Jamesian heroine - all disappointment and unrequited love. They really were a self-centered bunch.
To quote:
"Inspired by the life of Constance Fenimore Woolson, a widely read author of the 19th century." (I never heard of her).
A truly liberated woman, before that word was used to describe a 'free' woman. She meets Henry James in Europe and this book also is about their relationship and their writings.
A good read.
"Inspired by the life of Constance Fenimore Woolson, a widely read author of the 19th century." (I never heard of her).
A truly liberated woman, before that word was used to describe a 'free' woman. She meets Henry James in Europe and this book also is about their relationship and their writings.
A good read.
This was an interesting story,however I had more enjoyment exploring each new character on the internet. Henry James famous author,Constance Fenimore Woolson famous author,Clarence King geologist/explorer and many more. Plus there are tons of literary references throughout. I have added many books to my lists because of this book.
It's chalk full of fascinating historical tidbits. The narration seems a bit too forward thinking for it's time, at least that's what I presume when I consider what a 19th century woman would think.
Jun 25, 2008
Krysia
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
nineteenth-century literature lovers and James scholars
Recommended to Krysia by:
just found it at the local library
After reading Toibin's The Master, I became a bit intrigued by Constance Fenimore Woolson. This novel gives some insight into the life of this fascinating woman, who was a very popular regional novelist and short story writer in her day, but today is probably only read by graduate students and professors. The novel explores and does a good job of explaining the relationship between Woolson and Henry James. She loved meeting and conversing with "the master", but felt that something was taken away...more
Amazing book ! Constance, the main character, is someone that i wish that I could have met ! Way ahead of her time and I felt such a strong kinship with her.
Maguire's view on Woolson is empowering and refreshing.
I loved this book and continue to re-read for it social commentary.
I loved this book and continue to re-read for it social commentary.
May 18, 2011
Jana
marked it as to-read
I'm considering reading this for vacation.
Jul 04, 2008
Merrilee
added it
This is a novel inspired by the life of an American writer of the 19th century, Constance Fennimore Woolson. After years of caring for others (the apparent role of the unmarried sister) she goes to Europe to find the freedom to live and work independently. She wants to meet Henry James, and does, and the development of their friendship is a fascinating journey. I loved this character - her courage, determination to live her own life on her own terms, and her commitment to friendship as well as t...more
This book did a very good job of capturing a 19th-century voice in the form of a fictional memoir. I think if I liked Henry James better, I would have enjoyed the parallels here.
A subtly subversive book, The Open Door is written in the first person as the memoir of the real 19th century author Catherine Fenimore Woolson, whose friendship with Henry James has fueled the gossip mill for decades. In Maguire's account, Woolson gets to tell her side of their story and in so doing, Maguire gets to explore something Woolson was interested in deconstructing: the collapse of a friendship.
I'm still mulling over what I think of this book. I probably should read Woolson myself. It strikes me as well done but slightly flat. If only she hadn't confused me on the first page by calling a canoe a skiff--and Maguire had even been an editor before writing novels! The author did a good job of getting me interested in Constance Fenimore Woolson,though.
Jun 27, 2012
Linda Robinson
marked it as will-not-finish
Historical fiction. I must have held this book because of Woolson's brief connection to Michigan. I don't understand why I like some of this genre, and absolutely not others. C'est la vie. Contradictions and inexplicable behavior intertwined with delight.
I liked this book, but I can't really explain why. Not much actually happens -- it is mostly the thoughts of a woman writer struggling with her place in the world. The writing is quite good and the observations of the woman are interesting.
A fast but good read.
May 18, 2013
Katie
marked it as to-read
May 14, 2013
Nareman Ahmed
marked it as to-read
May 03, 2013
Noor Hashem
marked it as to-read
May 01, 2013
Wkd
added it
Apr 23, 2013
Andreia Fernandes
marked it as to-read
Apr 21, 2013
Camilla Dellinger
marked it as to-read
Apr 07, 2013
Khristiey
marked it as to-read
Mar 31, 2013
Jamie Pomerhn
marked it as to-read
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Elizabeth Maguire (1958-2006) was born in New York City and had a distinguished twenty-five year career as an editor and publisher. She nurtured numerous prize-winning books and was especially known as a champion of African-American nonfiction and for her deep commitment to African-American writers. Maguire published one novel, Thinner, Blonder, Whiter (2003), during her lifetime. She had just com...more
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“Very social people tend to be lonely.”
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Aug 02, 2008 02:22pm