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superraven666's review against another edition
3.0
this book presents itself like an interesting overview of the existing differences between America and Europe at that time, Eugenia and Felix being European natives and really far from American Puritanism. The descriptions are interesting but at a moment i think that James insisted too much on the characters' development, so the first half of the story is interesting, but then the author drowns himself into this writing style and he forgets to develop the main plot.
The end was SO predictable, except for Eugenia's part, that made me hate her even more.
However, the analysis of the differences between characters' ways of life was interesting and the characters where whole at least (except that by the end we don't know eugenia that much). He could have made it longer i think. I consider this book like a classic in its own way
The end was SO predictable, except for Eugenia's part, that made me hate her even more.
However, the analysis of the differences between characters' ways of life was interesting and the characters where whole at least (except that by the end we don't know eugenia that much). He could have made it longer i think. I consider this book like a classic in its own way
philly37898's review against another edition
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
trin's review against another edition
2.0
Mystery box book #31!
This just doesn't feel like top-quality Henry James; I certainly enjoyed it less than [b:Washington Square|133954|Washington Square (Signet Classics)|Henry James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309286618l/133954._SY75_.jpg|3319458], which I read earlier this year. These characters remained much more opaque for me, lacking James' usual complex interiority.
This just doesn't feel like top-quality Henry James; I certainly enjoyed it less than [b:Washington Square|133954|Washington Square (Signet Classics)|Henry James|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309286618l/133954._SY75_.jpg|3319458], which I read earlier this year. These characters remained much more opaque for me, lacking James' usual complex interiority.
joanareadsbooks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lizawall's review against another edition
Pretty fun, not the most memorable. I like this one because he is working out a lot of the same issues of later books, but since it is maybe not so tightly constructed the ideas/opinions are a little more explicit.
rekams's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This novel is short, funny, eloquent and reflective all at once. I really enjoyed the writing style, and especially the dialogue between the characters, and how it shifted when the Europeans and Americans were talking to each other, versus how each group talked amongst themselves. The character dynamics were also superb, even with nine major characters to occupying only 178 pages, everyone felt fully fleshed out, with unique mixes of positive and negative traits that shifted and developed in satisfying, realistic and relatable ways over the course of the story.
The only thing I can fault is the unexpectedly abrupt and somewhat rushed ending, but apparently the author was under pressure to wrap the story up within 100 Atlantic Monthly pages, so I can’t really fault him for that. And even so, he left no Is undotted and Ts uncrossed, so while I would have enjoyed a bit more detail on the events of the final pages, the book did not leave any great questions unanswered.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and while it feels a bit indulgent rating it 5 stars, I have to remind myself that a book doesn’t have to be profoundly deep or contain life changing thoughts to be really, really good.
The only thing I can fault is the unexpectedly abrupt and somewhat rushed ending, but apparently the author was under pressure to wrap the story up within 100 Atlantic Monthly pages, so I can’t really fault him for that. And even so, he left no Is undotted and Ts uncrossed, so while I would have enjoyed a bit more detail on the events of the final pages, the book did not leave any great questions unanswered.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and while it feels a bit indulgent rating it 5 stars, I have to remind myself that a book doesn’t have to be profoundly deep or contain life changing thoughts to be really, really good.
wilde_read's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Dullest book I've read in awhile. It went nowhere very slowly. The characters were not at all engaging.
orbeezdungeon's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pachypedia's review against another edition
5.0
El libro me estaba encantando: sociedad de finales del siglo XIX, el estilo de vida de la jet set europea frente a la norteamericana, un choque de culturas y de amores ¿imposibles? Con personajes misteriosos y desdichados dignos de conocer. Sin embargo, el final es muuuy precipitado, en menos de 10 páginas se resuelve todo de la manera más obvia y sin mucho detalle.