⇒ PDF Gratis The Bostonians Modern Library Classics Henry James A S Byatt 9780812969962 Books

The Bostonians Modern Library Classics Henry James A S Byatt 9780812969962 Books

Download As PDF : The Bostonians Modern Library Classics Henry James A S Byatt 9780812969962 Books

The Bostonians Modern Library Classics Henry James A S Byatt 9780812969962 Books

An interesting look at the Women' Emancipation Movement, as it was called in the 19th Century. Henry James createď a fascinating cast of characters in which he presents the widely differing views of the movement . The motivations, both sociological and personal, rather than the political, move the plot forward. James' sentence structure is, at times distracting, even for a work of his time period. However, he does reach down into the depths of human conflict. So, often our emotions rule our speech and action when it comes to social and political beliefs . It's still a book worth reading and discussing today. Some consider it feminist literature. What do you think? What do you think we're James' personal views on women's rights. And why do you think Basil Ransom's dark Mississippian complexion was mentioned so often? I would recommend this novel to those interested in historical novel that deal with important social issues. I think it would do well book clubs and academic discussions.


Tags : The Bostonians (Modern Library Classics) [Henry James, A. S. Byatt] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. This brilliant satire of the women’s rights movement in America is the story of the ravishing inspirational speaker Verena Tarrant and the bitter struggle between two distant cousins who seek to control her. Will the privileged Boston feminist Olive Chancellor succeed in turning her beloved ward into a celebrated activist and lifetime companion? Or will Basil Ransom,Henry James, A. S. Byatt,The Bostonians (Modern Library Classics),Modern Library,0812969960,Classics,Boston (Mass.) - Fiction.,Triangles (Interpersonal relations) - Fiction.,Young women - Fiction.,Reading Group Guide,19th century;literature;american;american literature;classics;boston;classic;henry james;feminism;america;usa;20th century;american fiction;massachusetts;women;politics;new york;british;new england;love;19th century fiction;feminists;james;victorian;historical fiction;historical novels;historical;historical novel;saga;historical fiction books;historic fiction;drama;genre fiction;literary historical fiction;historical books;historical fiction novels;classic literature;classic books,Boston (Mass.),Boston (Mass.);Fiction.,Classic fiction (pre c 1945),Cousins,FICTION Classics,FICTION Historical General,FICTION Literary,FICTION Satire,Feminists,Fiction,Fiction - General,Fiction-Classics,GENERAL,General Adult,JAMES, HENRY, 1843-1916,Literary,LiteratureClassics,Literature: Classics,Love stories,Modern fiction,19th century; literature; american; american literature; classics; boston; classic; henry james; feminism; america; usa; 20th century; american fiction; massachusetts; women; 1880s; politics; new york; british; new england; love; 19th century fiction; feminists; james; victorian; historical fiction; historical novels; historical; historical novel; saga; historical fiction books; historic fiction; drama; genre fiction; literary historical fiction; historical books; historical book; historical fiction novels; historical fiction novel,Psychological fiction,Satire,Triangles (Interpersonal relations),Triangles (Interpersonal relations);Fiction.,United States,Young women,Young women;Fiction.,Fiction Classics,Fiction Literary,Literary,Fiction - General,Boston (Mass.),Feminists,Triangles (Interpersonal relat,Triangles (Interpersonal relations),Young women,James, Henry, 1843-1916,Fiction,Literature: Classics,General & Literary Fiction,Classic fiction (pre c 1945),Modern fiction

The Bostonians Modern Library Classics Henry James A S Byatt 9780812969962 Books Reviews

A gifted and eloquent speaker guided by an early advocate for women's rights is on the way to great success when she is detoured by a handsome young man. He mocks the message of woman's equality. He is the hero?
This is a book James would like to take back. It was also much too long with many redundant passages.
Even a great writer can have a bad day.
Not my favorite Henry James novel. The time is around 1890 and the setting is Boston's Beacon Street in Back Bay. A young woman in her teens has a gift for public speaking. She is enticed, recruited, enlisted (whatever) by another slightly older young woman to be involved in the woman's suffrage movement. The two become bonded; the older woman possessive of the younger; they live together in the older's Back Bay dwelling. A third cousin of the older woman arrives for a visit. He is from Mississippi and the Civil War has consumed his family's wealth. He is enamored of the younger woman. They fall in love, but can he pry her away from his cousin? This book is a slow, tedious tale not nearly as entertaining as "Portrait of a Lady."
I like Henry James very much. His story-telling technique, his detailed descriptions, and long, convoluted sentences may not appeal to everyone, but I find him to be a true wordsmith, and I marvel at his use of the English language. My favorite books of his are THE GOLDEN BOWL, THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY, THE SACRED FOUNT, THE AMERICAN, and THE EUROPEANS. These are all very entertaining character studies, and I would unhesitatingly rate each of them 5-stars; most of his others that I have read are either 4- or 5-stars, too.

But I find THE BOSTONIANS not as much to my liking as James' other works primarily because I find its plot and its overall tone particularly unsettling and disturbing. Perhaps it was regarded as a typical battle of the sexes "comedy" (in the literary sense of that word) when it was first written, but it now comes across as quite mean-spirited. I'm not saying I expect 100+ year-old books to be politically correct by today's standards; one must judge a book relative to the time it was written taking into account its intended audience. But it's hard to imagine the protagonist not being regarded as monomaniacal even for its era. The plot essentially involves a self-centered cad (with a scheming young woman confederate) orchestrating a deliberate campaign in an attempt to persuade (and otherwise bully) a young and rising suffragette into giving up her feminist advocacy (and especial talents therein) to marry him. One need hardly wonder whether she would be happy or miserable were she to condescend to do either or both. Does she reject her cause? Does she marry him? The novel pretty much ends when she makes her decisions, yea or nay. (You'll find out, but not from me.)

I always thought the story would have been much more interesting if we could've learned what happens to HIM after she makes her decision. How would HE have been affected by it? It's no spoiler to SPECULATE by asking IF she marries him, would her presumed unhappiness shame and reform him? Conversely, IF she refuses to marry him, would her loss cause him to mend his caddish ways, and thus reformed, desire to woo her anew? Either way, would he ever come around to see the light? Alas, we can only wonder, because James did not choose to tell that part of the story, and a cad (whether single or married) the protagonist remains.

That this book is considered great (and why I still, though reluctantly, gave it 4-stars) is a tribute to James' literary style moreso than the actual plot itself, because no matter how well James tells it, it is still an unpleasant tale involving unbridled ego, an unmerited sense of superiority, deceit, and manipulation by one person attempting to gain dominance over another. Sorry, but I am uncomfortable with that -- even from the great Henry James, whom I otherwise greatly admire.
Going in I knew that Henry James was wordy and detailed. It continues in this book. Inner thoughts and motivations told from the narrator's perspective makes up the style here. All standard James.
But this story could be used as a means to annoy anyone who is even remotely feminist. It would work to test the patience and tolerance of most everyone I know. I won't do a spoiler here but the conclusion is unnecessarily dismal.
However, if you want to improve your vocabulary read this book with a dictionary handy. Henry James could certainly write and it's worth spending time with him. But choose a different book.
An interesting look at the Women' Emancipation Movement, as it was called in the 19th Century. Henry James createď a fascinating cast of characters in which he presents the widely differing views of the movement . The motivations, both sociological and personal, rather than the political, move the plot forward. James' sentence structure is, at times distracting, even for a work of his time period. However, he does reach down into the depths of human conflict. So, often our emotions rule our speech and action when it comes to social and political beliefs . It's still a book worth reading and discussing today. Some consider it feminist literature. What do you think? What do you think we're James' personal views on women's rights. And why do you think Basil Ransom's dark Mississippian complexion was mentioned so often? I would recommend this novel to those interested in historical novel that deal with important social issues. I think it would do well book clubs and academic discussions.