Fionnuala’s review of The Golden Bowl > Likes and Comments

Every year I say "this is the year I will really do a deep dive with Henry James"--maybe 2017 will finally be that year, haha. :) I'm actually more familiar with his non-fiction writing, and find him very funny! In a witty, sometimes-almost-bitchy way.

I definitely must read something by Henry James!

This certainly was a fun review to read, and it night be my first James after a break:)

Jesse wrote: "…I'm actually more familiar with his non-fiction writing, and find him very funny! In a witty, sometimes-almost-bitchy way..."

I'm glad to hear that someone else finds him funny, Jesse.
I'm not familiar with his non-fiction writing - apart from the appendix in this and The Wings of the Dove so I'll look for some titles.

Susana wrote: "I definitely must read something by Henry James!"

He's wordy but worth it, Susana.

Bloodorange wrote: "This certainly was a fun review to read, and it night be my first James after a break:)"

It's a marvelous story - even without the Assinghams, B. I didn't go into that in the review because it would be very easy to spoil the plot - and the plot is really excellent.

An exceptionally perceptive review. The Assinghams were a brilliant narrative device, acting much like readers discussing what they've just read, i.e. what they've observed of the other characters' actions, as the story unfolds.

Fionnuala said: Henry James is funny.

I have scheduled Washington Square for a cross-country flight in two days. I hope my guffawing does not disturb my fellow passengers.

Gary wrote: "An exceptionally perceptive review. The Assinghams were a brilliant narrative device, acting much like readers discussing what they've just read, i.e. what they've observed of the other characters'..."

They took on that role for me from early on, Gary, and so I underlined all the relevant lines as I came to them which made writing the review easier - I'd hate to have had to read through it all again to find them ;-)

I will never be able to read Henry James in the same way again. Humorous pornography is too much to resist.

Cleverly written and great insight regarding the concept of this James novel, Fionnuala. I'm glad you came across humor in it.

Henry James is funny.
I see already the raised eyebrows that statement will inspire. 'Fun' might well be the last quality that anyone has ever associated with Henry James but as I read this book, I began to have the impression that the author had a lot of fun writing it. I certainly had fun reading it.

My reading group is looking to tackle The Wings of the Dove this spring. I've read very little Henry James so far (Daisy Miller and The Turn of the Screw) and while I found much to like in those novellas they have not inspired me to explore his novels.

Perhaps, too, our impressions of James being so serious are shaped by the images we have of him -- in many photographs I've seen of him he has a sort of scowl, making him look like an old crank (and certainly not very approachable).

The enjoyment you've received from your journeys into the world of Henry James (quite evident in your updates and this review), however, are pushing me to reconsider my decision to forego The Wings of the Dove and give HJ another chance.

Tony wrote: "Fionnuala said: Henry James is funny.

I have scheduled Washington Square for a cross-country flight in two days. I hope my guffawing does not disturb my fellow passengers."

Washington Square? I think your fellow passengers are safe, Tony. Though if they are observant they may notice the odd raised eyebrow...

BlackOxford wrote: "I will never be able to read Henry James in the same way again. Humorous pornography is too much to resist."

I'll be extra vigilant myself as I read the remaining novels ;-)

No wincing from me! If I smoked I would have drawn longly upon my pipe and exhaled a fleet of evanescent white ships. :)

I did indeed manage to raise an eyebrow even before reading your second sentence about raising eyebrows, Fionnuala! But you have absolutely convinced me that James can be fun - high quality fun!

There are so many other options and if it weren't for your reviews, I would have read one of his most well-known works and perhaps leave with the wrong impression. I can't think of a better guide than your writings, Fionnuala.

Cheryl wrote: "Cleverly written and great insight regarding the concept of this James novel, Fionnuala. I'm glad you came across humor in it."

It was the fourth book in my current James season, Cheryl, so finding a fund of fun at the heart of an otherwise serious book was well timed. I would have read on anyway, but this was like a well-earned prize to spur me on!

Ben wrote: "...Perhaps, too, our impressions of James being so serious are shaped by the images we have of him -- in many photographs I've seen of him he has a sort of scowl, making him look like an old crank (and certainly not very approachable).…"

I was tempted to post one of those glooming images to underline the apparent ridiculousness of my thesis, Ben, but resisted. However, I found this one of a younger James which I will use as my mental picture of the author in the future. There's no smile here but it's not as forbidding as the later ones:


Do read The Wings of the Dove. There's an awful lot in it. Layers and layers.

Tony wrote: "Fionnuala said: Henry James is funny.

I have scheduled Washington Square for a cross-country flight in two days. I hope my guffawing does not disturb my fellow passengers."

Ha ha! That made me laugh, Tony!

Terrific review, Fi. As always your reviews make me want to read or, in this case, reread, the book you're reviewing. I've just been checking what HJ novels I have in my present room - What Masie Knew, Portrait of a Lady and Roderick Hudson - so i'll reread one of these soon as you've rekindled my curiosity about him.

Nice review. Also found James funny in spots, but can't remember the titles.

But, isn't Fanny Assingham a bit broad by James' standards?

I've just finished a reread of Mansfield Park and Austen puts a pun about 'rears and vices' (in relation to Admirals) in the mouth of one of her female characters! Shocking! ;)

Great essay, Fionnuala. I loved this HJ -- he was totally in control and all I could do was follow. (For an added benefit, I read it on the plane back from Rome.)

Steve wrote: "No wincing from me! If I smoked I would have drawn longly upon my pipe and exhaled a fleet of evanescent white ships. :)"

A creative and productive image there, Steve!
My mental picture of the Colonel was Stefan Mallarmé by Manet complete with cigar

Lisa wrote: "I did indeed manage to raise an eyebrow even before reading your second sentence about raising eyebrows, Fionnuala! But you have absolutely convinced me that James can be fun - high quality fun!"

I won't say you haven't to do a bit of prospecting to find the fun, Lisa - but when you do, you get gold by the panful!

wonderful review! he is a personal fav of mine, i am delighted someone else also finds him funny ;)

That image is certainly less forbidding than those of the older James with which I'm more familiar. I think I will end up giving The Wings of the Dove a go.

Florencia wrote: "There are so many other options and if it weren't for your reviews, I would have read one of his most well-known works and perhaps leave with the wrong impression..."

It's true there's a lot of variety in the James books I've read so far, Florencia. I hope your choice will turn out to be satisfying.

Violet wrote: "Terrific review, Fi. As always your reviews make me want to read or, in this case, reread, the book you're reviewing. I've just been checking what HJ novels I have..."

I'm curious about Roderick Hudson, Violet, but haven't found a copy. So far, I've tried to read James in the lovely Everyman Library editions but unfortunately, Knopf don't seem to have included all of James' books in their series. I'll have to buy it in paperback ;-(

SonnyL wrote: "Nice review. Also found James funny in spots, but can't remember the titles.
But, isn't Fanny Assingham a bit broad by James' standards?"

Thanks for commenting, Sonny.
Fanny is certainly different to the other women characters I've come across in Henry James novels, But they've all been different to each other too so I just think he's very good at writing women characters and I wouldn't be at all surprised at what sort of character I meet in the next book. Eugenia in The Europeans, which I've just finished, is quite a startling creation.

Teresa wrote: "I've just finished a reread of Mansfield Park and Austen puts a pun about 'rears and vices' (in relation to Admirals) in the mouth of one of her female characters! Shocking! ;).."

Well caught, Teresa!
I was reminded of Austin in this book, as in all the other James I've read so far. This time I thought of Emma arranging marriages for all her acquaintances - like Fanny!
It was perfect that you read this on the way back from Rome, and I agree that this book is one of his best. Maggie in the second part - what a transformation!

Ghost of the Library wrote: "wonderful review! he is a personal fav of mine, i am delighted someone else also finds him funny ;)"

Glad to meet another fan, Ghost.

Jean-Paul wrote: "You flabbergasted me with your opening sentence and allusion to fun, Fionnuala! But then the fun fitted in and fell into place..."

I feel I frequently find fun in the most unexpected places, Jean-Paul - which reminds me to file this book on my 'review-may-contain-comic-content' shelf. I don't think I ever expected to file a Henry James book on that shelf - but after checking just now, I realise I also shelved The Wings of the Dove under that tag. Of course that beautiful and tragic book wasn't funny in itself, or only slightly...

Marita wrote: "A splendid analysis, Fionnuala! I have read several of his works, but not this one. I now definitely want to read it sooner rather than later."

I'd hesitate to say it is his best, Marita, partly because I haven't read them all yet, and partly because my favourite remains The Ambassadors. But this one has perhaps the better story so you're guaranteed a satisfying read.

How marvelous! The pilgrim and the Sphinx, the general rule that she was tragic when he was comic...this is really a perfect snapshot of evenings I've spent with such a pair, down to the punctuation-by-prop. If you are wrong you are absolutely, hilariously so, and that young man (in the picture I, too, prefer) owes you a debt of such magnitude that he is good to be gone to be out of it. So many in your basket here are giving him a second look. Lucky fellow. ;-)

You always choose such an extraordinary way and unique angle, fresh perspective to review a novel, Fio. I had a fun too reading your analysis here. And seeing you are on a roll with Jamesian readings I'm already anticipating a next one :)

Antigone wrote: "How marvelous! The pilgrim and the Sphinx, the general rule that she was tragic when he was comic...this is really a perfect snapshot of evenings I've spent with such a pair, down to the punctuation-by-prop..."

Now you've made me curious, Antigone! Couldn't you work them in to a review for us - in your always-so-stylish way...

Agnieszka wrote: "You always choose such an extraordinary way and unique angle, fresh perspective to review a novel, Fio. I had a fun too reading your analysis here.."

The angle presented itself very easily this time, Agnieszka - Fanny and the Colonel caught my eye early on and though they don't take up that much space in the book as a whole, I knew they'd be the perfect focus for a review. In any case, there's just so much in this book that trying to deal with the broader themes would have taken me a month!

Fionnuala wrote: "Violet wrote: "Terrific review, Fi. As always your reviews make me want to read or, in this case, reread, the book you're reviewing. I've just been checking what HJ novels I have..."

I'm curious a..."

I've got a really good memory of Roderick Hudson, especially the descriptions of Rome. It's early so the prose style is less thicketed and his approach to character study more direct. Think I'll reread it soon.

Violet wrote: "I've got a really good memory of Roderick Hudson, especially the descriptions of Rome. It's early so the prose style is less thicketed and his approach to character study more direct....."

I should have probably approached James in a chronological fashion but I had no conscious intention of reading through all of his work when I picked up The Ambassadors - his second last major work. That book turned me into a fan of his style and I've read little else since. And anyway it's fun to pop back and forth in his oeuvre and experience the shifts in focus and style.
Your take on RH is bound to be interesting - I look forward to your review when you get around to rereading it.

And here I thought the name "Fanny Assingham" was funny. My simplicity stands in stark contrast to your exceedingly clever analysis which actually sounds like a discovery to me. You dug up a hidden gift in this soil of worlds much like an archaeologist would in the field. Very enjoyable write-up, Fionnuala!

I often feel like an archeologist when I'm reading, Matthias, leaving an x here and there to mark a spot where I suspect treasure can be found if I dig around a bit. I put an x beside the Colonel as soon as he was introduced and he rewarded me handsomely ;-)

The movie is great too.

Quite a penetrating review! I read it straight through to its happy ending.

Thanks for your very apt comment, Aloke! Glad you appreciated the review;-)

Lynn wrote: "The movie is great too."

I'd be curious to see the Colonel on screen, Lynn, but I doubt he'd live up to the Colonel of my imagination!

Smoking involves a whole new dimension after reading this review, Fionnuala. Talking about guilty but irresistible pleasures...

I guess you could call it a smoking hot review, Dolors;-)

What are ur 3 favorite Henry James?

I did not want to t first put a comment but I cannot help it Henry James is funnz the way he acts between his reader s and his characters , darkening his paths and enlightening them somehow out pf pure joz from his more perspicatious readers like zou Fionnuala. I bet you rwite for real not jut for goodreads