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Washington Square (Signet Classics)

Washington Square

by Peter Conn, Henry James

With a new afterword by Michael Cunningham

What Catherine Sloper lacks in brains and beauty, she makes up for by being "very good." The handsome Morris Townsend would do anything to win her hand-even if it means pretending that he loves the homely ingénue, and cares nothing for her opulent wealth. (read review)

Top tags: fiction,  classic,  19th century,  american,  literature (all tags)

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Most Helpful Reviews

Liked It

4 of 4 members found this review helpful.
Lord Manleigh
  • Rated 5 stars

“I adore “Washington Square,” and not just because I walk past it all the time in the Village. It’s a riveting study of emotional ambivalence and cruelty, and poor Catherine Sloper is a worthy member of James’ roster of monied innocents who excite the manipulation and victimization of others. I find Catherine one of the most fascinating female characters in literature. Is her hard-won pride and independence a cold triumph or an act of self-immolation? Each time I finish, I never know...”

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Didn’t Like It

Alexia W
  • Rated 2 stars

““Our story hitherto has moved with very short steps…” that I doubt it has moved it all. There is not much that I can say to this novel’s benefit besides the clarity of Henry James’ words. He possesses the ability to pick exactly the right word, which can lead to surprising displays of wit. Beyond that, the book has many flaws: character descriptions are given multiple times and the father-daughter dynamic that should drive the plot is told, not displayed or felt through the characters. On...”

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Community:
  • Rated 3.54054 stars
Amazon:
  • Rated 4 stars
  

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