Very good

Great reading of this book. Well done! I hope to hear more of Henry James.

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Haunting

Involving story of a very ordinary, unloved young woman targeted by a fortune hunter

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Well read.

Wonderful delivery of a Henry James’ sad novel. A short absorbing listen and the evocation of the nineteenth century mores in America are delightful

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Impressions last when they are strong

I almost gave up on Henry James after The Golden Bowl which I found almost impenetrable. Washington Square is much simpler, a terrific tale with fine lines beautifully delivered that leave you hanging till the last moment. This work is a tribute to the quiet steadfast strength of character of a young woman, who with dignity overcomes injustice served on her. Enough is enough. How uplifting a message and what a role model.

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Perfect prose illuminating James’ EQ!

This apparently slight story unfolds at so perfect a pace that the beautiful prose never gets in the way of the narrrative or of the emotional pull of the story.
James’ intellect is exposed in the finely honed language of the brilliant doctor, but we feel James’ true genius in the brutally honest insights he shares as he exposes the weaknesses and flaws of his characters over time. The four principals are (perhaps sadly) as real today as they were almost two centuries ago. But who nowadays could give life to them so vividly and truthfully with such a tight story?
That the language is superb might be a given, but the reader is an extraordinary talent who I am ashamed not to know more about. A truly brilliant performance that seems to deliver James as he would have wished to be delivered , enhanced but not embellished. Clarified but never unbalanced. Really this was one the best audio performances I’ve ever come across.

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An amazing novel beautifully read

This is such a tremendous reading of this Henry James novel. A friend recommended this book to me, I’ve read it some time ago, the atmosphere of this thoughtful book is captured by the reader whose voice is perfect.

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a delight

I read this book a few times years ago and kept finding new layers. Now I return to it and find other, new interpretations of the characters. I am looking forward to a second listen in few months to discover if my views are more fixed than when I was in my twenties. A really great novel.

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A story of two halves

I am in a phase of enjoying this period in New York’s social life. Both James and Edith Wharton are wonderful writers in comparison modern authors seem to lack the depth of vision and power of observation. When people say that a book is ‘well written’ these books should form the template of their view. I don’t believe that I make these remarks with judgement obscured by the novelty of the style or fascination with the period in which they were written!

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1 person found this helpful

Excellent Narration

First, the narration by Lloyd James is excellent. I read Washington Square as a student and I would certainly recommend it as a great starting point to meet Henry James.
Interestingly James himself did not rate Washington Square and dismissed it as one of his "unhappy accidents".

But I don't think we return to James for the plot they often feel forced or melodrama without the happy ending.. Or the characters lack dimension and warmth. I think there is a similarity between Henry James and Edith Wharton it is a cascading verbal waterfall. But James at his best has a hypnotic, lyrical beauty. and I think that is why I have come back to him again, in order to experience that feeling of being washed with words.

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A Pearl

Washington Square is an almost perfect novel. The reader/listener shares the anguish of the long-suffering heroine who is denied her choice of marriage partner through her father's intransigence and her obedience to his will. Her suitor is a charlatan and her father is motivated by a desire to protect his daughter, and the fortune she will inherit after his death. However, he is merciless and cold and the reader/listener is, in the end, on Catherine's side. The portion of the novel leading up to Morris Townsend's departure when he learns that Catherine has been disinherited is, in my view, better than what follows. I really enjoyed the narration. It is a personal prejudice, but I think Henry James' works are best read in a man's voice, and definitely by an American. Lloyd James does an excellent job here.

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