Book 122: The Portrait of a Lady and Book Stats.

Title: The Portrait of a Lady
Author: Henry James (1843-1916)

First Published: 1881

My Edition: Bantam Classic (seen at left)

Pages: 625

Other Works Include: Roderick Hudson (1876), The American (1877), The Europeans (1878), Daisy Miller (1878), Washington Square (1880), The Bostonians (1886), The Princess Casamassima (1886), The Tragic Muse (1890), The Spoils of Poynton (1897), What Maisie Knew (1897), The Turn of the Screw (1898), The Awkward Age (1899), The Wings of the Dove (1902), The Ambassadors (1903), and The Golden Bowl (1904).

I pulled this off the shelf the other night and Matt told me the woman on the cover looks like a vampire. I doubt that James wrote about vampires in Europe, but I've been surprised by classics before. :) And now that Matt pointed it out, I catch this lady staring at me. I suppose it is time to pick this up and read it before I give myself nightmares.

I am slowly discovering James' work. I wouldn't have picked up another title by him so soon (I read Daisy Miller as book 94), but this is a title on my 2011 TBR Challenge List. I figured it was about time.

That isn't the only reason, of course. I think I am developing a literary crush on James, and I want to make sure it isn't a farce. This will be the third title by him that I am reading for this challenge, and since it is a far longer piece than the other two I've read, it'll be the test.

If you are curious, here are my posts on Washington Square, which was book 21 off my list:

• Book Stats
• On Beginning Washington Square
• Villains and Unpretty Girls
• Favorite Passages.
• Finished.

And here are the links to my thoughts on Daisy Miller, book 94:

• Book Stats
• Memories/Finished.

What have you read by James?

Book 94: Memories and Finished.

When I was a junior in college, I took my favorite English class. It was with this professor who was incredibly passionate about every piece of literature he taught, and I really began to appreciate literature because of him. One of the many things we read in his class was Daisy Miller by Henry James.

When I saw Jillian was reading this, I knew I had to move it up in my pile. Because while I remember loving that class, this is the one book I was having a hard time finding a connection to. I also really loved the other James novel I’ve read in this process (Washington Square) and wanted another go around.

I think I chose a good one.

Daisy Miller is the story of a young American girl abroad in Europe. The reader meets her through the eyes of Winterbourne. Winterbourne recalls when he first met her, and their subsequent meetings. While they only meet for a small amount of time, Daisy has a huge impact on Winterbourne. He romanticizes her and continues to stand up for her when she makes quite a few unwise decisions.

But the story is not about their relationship. On the surface it is, but underneath it focuses on the complexity of how others view ourselves and our actions. To the outsider in the story, Daisy appears to be a frivolous flirt, throwing herself into awkward situations with men, and causing quite a stir. The people around her (mainly Europeans) are shocked and scandalized by her behavior. But for Winterbourne, who also interacts with her in "scandalous" ways, she is simple a naive but friendly girl. Daisy craves human attention and just seems to form friendships. She cares little for what others think of her.

James is also discussing the relations between Americans and Europeans. There is a clear line between the stuffy Europeans around Daisy and the way she and her family acts. Her mother has no control over her actions and doesn't really seem to mind. But Daisy is acting "American," which is certainly something we are still labeled with.

I have never traveled abroad, so I have not felt that kind of stigma and judgment for being an American. But I know it is there. I struggled teaching my sophomores this past year in history just why so many countries don't like us and our policies. It was hard for them to understand. We are privileged and wealthy in comparison to many countries around the world, and yes, we do act a certain way. I know that I am conscious of this in as many ways as I can be. At the park, my status as an authority figure (and female in charge) is often challenged by patrons of different cultures and ethnic groups. I have to take it in stride and acknowledge that the way I see things is different than how they see things.

I see Daisy Miller as an early version of this. Daisy is a spoiled American girl who is used to getting her way back home, and abroad doesn't see the need to act any different. Yes, she acts entitled, but was she ever taught another way? It is interesting to see this play out, and her general disregard for the feelings around her and her actions.

But what I really loved was the ending. it speaks so clearly to the reader about what to value and why. I don't want to say more than that and ruin it for you. And this is such a short little book, you really should go read it. :)

It was good to reread something I had only fuzzy memories of, and I am determined to get to more James sooner rather than later. There is something very honest and open about his writing, which I also admired in Washington Square. I love this type of society and status novel and the exploration of what it means to be "up there." Perhaps that is why I enjoy Wharton so much? In any case, it is always great to rediscover something I have read before, in a different time and place. It is amazing how much more I pull from it a second time.

How do you feel about the current stigma against Americans? Is there one? Are we deserving?

Book 94: Daisy Miller and Book Stats.

Title: Daisy Miller
Author: Henry James (1843-1916)

First Published: 1878/9

My Edition: Penguin Classic (pictured at right)

Pages: 126

Other Works Include: Roderick Hudson (1876), The American (1877), The Europeans (1878), Washington Square (1880), The Portrait of a Lady (1881), The Bostonians (1886), The Princess Casamassima (1886), The Tragic Muse (1890), The Spoils of Poynton (1897), What Maisie Knew (1897), The Turn of the Screw (1898), The Awkward Age (1899), The Wings of the Dove (1902), The Ambassadors (1903), and The Golden Bowl (1904).

I was inspired to finally pull this one from the small pile on my nightstand by Jillian (who has been inspiring a few of my recent reads!), and I am excited to give this one another shot. I read this one previously for a college course (with one of my favorite professors ever), and I am a little hazy on the details. I remember really enjoying it, so I hope I have a repeat experience with this one.

James is an author I am slowly discovering. I have limited experience, but it has all been positive. I read Washington Square relatively early in my project-it was book 21-and I truly loved it. I still have Portrait of a Lady and The Turn of the Screw left after this one, so perhaps James will turn into a new favorite.

If you are interested in reading my Washington Square posts, here they are:

• Book Stats
• On Beginning Washington Square
• Villains and Unpretty Girls
• Favorite Passages.
• Finished.

Book 21: Washington Square.

Washington Square by Henry James will be my second experience reading James. I read Daisy Miller for a college course and liked it, but I never went into any of James' other work. Lucky for me that I have 4 chances to read James on my list (the other two titles being The Turn of the Screw and Portrait of a Lady).

But I like his style and swagger and I was reminded that I needed to read this particular novel by my friend Scott.

Scott works with me for the parks system and two winters ago, we got into some great literary discussions. At the time, I was rediscovering my love and admiration for Edith Wharton. I was flying through her work left and right and Scott happened to have a professor he was taking a class with who was also obsessed with Edith. For his class, he had to read The Custom of the Country (which is one of my favorites by Wharton, but not on my list), along with a lot of other titles.

While we discussed Wharton, a LOT, we also talked about the other books he was reading for his class. A few weeks later, he had his copy of Washington Square with him and I asked about it. He told me then that I needed to read it and it would be something I would like. Like the Wharton novel, it centered on some of the rich and fabulous of New York City, just earlier. As he gave me details, I decided I wanted to read it. In fact, I even went out and bought a copy. But then I got side-tracked, and I am sure you know how this goes. I never got around to it and it ended up being another book that would be read at a later date.

Well, Scott reminded me that I never read this, so why not give it a go. it sounds intriguing and full of that gossipy humor and sarcasm that I love in novels centered on "high society." I am sure love it, especially since the other novel Scott suggested for this challenge (McTeague by Frank Norris) was so excellent in a devilish sort of way. Anyway, here is the back cover blurb for your enjoyment;

"Washington Square follows the coming-of-age of its plain-faced, kindhearted heroine, Catherine Sloper. Much to her father's vexation, a handsome opportunist named Morris Townsend woos the long suffering heiress, intent on claiming her fortune. When Catherine stubbornly refuses to call off her engagement, Dr. Sloper forces Catherine to choose between her inheritance and the only man she will ever truly love."

It sounds deliciously juicy doesn't it? Well, for a novel published in 1881, and based in the 1830s on up, it can't be too juicy or all the copies probably would have been burned by now. I'm looking forward to it anyway and I hope that I can rant and rave soon!