Gwen's review
Washington Square
by Henry James
Gwen's review
Washington Square by Henry James
Gwen's review
rating:
If you like sarcastic depictions of 19th century life among the relatively rich, which I do, you'll probably enjoy Washington Square. The strange thing about it is that the heroine isn't really all that interesting--her only real personality characteristics are that she's very loyal, fair, and kind. She's not funny or witty or smart.
Her father, who raises her alone, thinks she's a terribly disappointment--first, she's a girl, and then she's dull. He mocks her and clearly doesn't think much about her. And her suitor is only interested in her money, which her father threatens to disinherit her of if she marries him.
What's interesting about the novel is that you come to sympathize with the heroine even though there's nothing particularly appealing about her. She may not be smart or interesting, but she refuses to give up her integrity or to even appear to do so. In the end she's the only really decent character in the book and it becomes clear she's been underestimated by everyone...more
Her father, who raises her alone, thinks she's a terribly disappointment--first, she's a girl, and then she's dull. He mocks her and clearly doesn't think much about her. And her suitor is only interested in her money, which her father threatens to disinherit her of if she marries him.
What's interesting about the novel is that you come to sympathize with the heroine even though there's nothing particularly appealing about her. She may not be smart or interesting, but she refuses to give up her integrity or to even appear to do so. In the end she's the only really decent character in the book and it becomes clear she's been underestimated by everyone...more