I've decided to read Henry James. He's considered one of our greatest writers, after all. Up until now I've found him almost impenetrable. But I've decided to try. This is the first in the eight books I've chosen.
Two impressions came to mind as I was reading. One was remembering as a young man my friends telling me I just had to meet these certain people who were oh so interesting and advanced. Meeting them never lived up to expectations. They were always just ordinary - or worse utter bores full of themselves. The other impression was of a group of teenage girls gossiping endlessly about their friends, squealing wildly about every factor of their lives. Both of these impressions are probably unfair to James.
The story in question concerns a man who is sent to Paris to 'rescue' the son of a leading Massachusetts family who has fallen into the clutches of a French woman. The hero, a staid 58 year old, soon finds himself falling into the clutches of Paris itself. And he finds the son much improved by his relationship with a married countess.
Of course, in James' time there was no talk of sex in novels - and more than likely none period. He has to sort of beat around the bush about what is really going on. I would think at the time this must have been a rather shocking novel. The problem with it is that there is too much beating around the bush. I think the story could have been told in half as many words.
The ironical part is that as I waded through the squealing gossip and gave the 'oh so very interesting people' the benefit of the doubt, I actually began to LIKE the book. It was a struggle, however.
I'll keep you posted on how I do with the rest of the list.