“Milly was indeed a dove; this was the figure, though it most applied to her spirit. Yet he knew in a moment that Kate was just now, for reasons hidden from him, exceptionally under the impression of that element of wealth in her which was a power, which was a great power, and which was dove-like only so far as one remembered that doves have wings and wondrous flights, have them as well as tender tints and soft sound. It even came to him dimly that such wings would in a given case – had, truly, in the case with which he was concerned –spread themselves for protection. Hadn’t they, for that matter, lately taken an inordinate reach, and weren’t Kate and Mrs. Lowder, weren’t Susan Shepheard and he, wasn’t he in particular, nestling under them to a great increase of immediate need?”
No lie: it took me over two months to read The Wings of the Dove. The edition I read had over 500 pages, but it wasn’t the length of the book that slowed me down, it was Henry James and his MANY, MANY, carefully chosen words. I read pretty much every line twice if not three or four times and even then, I often wasn’t sure if I understood the sentence. It’s a good thing that one of the main characters is also a little dense. When things had to be spelled out to him, it was to my advantage as a reader too. Also, I had seen the film waaay back in 1998 or so and was familiar with the plot. But this is a psychological novel; the plot is barely there. James takes paragraphs and sometimes pages to explain one thought or perception. I realize that it might have been better for me had I a solid base in James and worked my way up to his later, more complex works. I read his first novel, Daisy Miller, earlier this year and found it both delightful and not difficult in the least. My reason for reading the Wings of the Dove now instead of later were fueled by the fact that (a) I owned a copy of this book already and (b) it is on the Modern Library’s 100 Best Novels list of the best English-language novels published in the 20th century from which I intend to someday read every title. So I persevered.
As I stated above, there is not much of a plot. The story is simple: young Morton Densher and Kate Croy are Londoners who want to marry but feel they cannot due to certain social constraints that would be smoothed away if only either of them had any money. Along comes dove-like Milly Theale, a very rich but naïve (or is she?) American who has a crush on Morton and not too much longer to live. Will Morton marry Milly for her money as Kate hopes? Is Kate really doing Milly a favor as she would like to believe? Can Kate and Morton’s relationship survive this, whatever the outcome?
While this book was a lot of work for me, it didn’t put me off Henry James. I am not much of an athlete and the analogy may be poor, but runners don't avoid running a marathon because it is too challenging, right? I have at least two more "difficult" James’ titles that I HAVE to read due to my personal goal of reading all the Modern Library’s 100 Best Novels and I would certainly be interested in reading some of his more accessible novels like Portrait of a Lady or Washington Square.
I read this for the category Classic Tragic Novel for the Back to the Classics Challenge hosted by Karen at the blog Books and Chocolate.
I've read Daisy Miller, The Turn of the Screw, and The Ambassadors. In fact, I've read The Turn of the Screw multiple times, and I've had three different views of this novella, and really should read it again for Halloween. The Ambassadors? Once was enough. My professor loved it, and supposedly it was James' favorite. I don't regret reading it, but like Wings of a Dove there were a lot of words, long (long, long) sentences, and little actually happening.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment jenclair! The Ambassadors is one of the "difficult" ones I have to read to complete the Modern Library list.
DeleteI think I read The Turn of the Screw many years ago. I know I have a copy. I should dust it off and give it a try now. Tis the season and it is short. :D
Hi Ruthiella, Congratulations as you make your way through the Modern Library List. I know what you mean about books written by great authors that are a struggle to get through. The plot of Wings of a Dove sounds interesting, Morton and Kate who despite what they tell themselves are taking advantage of poor Millie but if the way the novel is written isn't accessible whatever the writer is trying to say is going to get lost. I had that problem with Sound and Fury but then I read a few of Faulkner's short stories and I was really impressed. Have you read The Bostonians by Henry James I read it and thought it was great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Kathy! I've not read James' The Bostonians yet but look forward to giving it a whirl. :D I think Faulkner isn't a bad comparison to James in that their signature style can sometimes be challenging for readers to parse but not insurmountable.
DeleteAbsolutely. Here you have the reader of one and only of James titles, and I'll get back to him, despite how wordy his sentences are, I see them as deceivingly realistic (in a good way, not as in he's deceiving us), I truly believe he is at crossroads between realism and stream of conscience, he's unique, there's something appealing to the reader who understands that reading is not passive, and that it is a marathon of sorts, an investment. I love how corrective his books are to this silly age of instant gratification, of superficial things and quick everything.
ReplyDeleteKept thinking... it is what it is, with James. His more traditionally written novels, those last three, -this one you review one of them- more difficult by the type of sentence structure. I'm not surprised any professor or person who has read much of him and reread, loves The Ambassadors. James is one of those authors that, the more you read, the more you get "it". Whether he's your 'type' or not, that's a matter of affinities, but the talent, as time and the public declare, are undeniable.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments Silvia! I remember your appreciation for The Ambassadors. :D It is on the Modern Library List so I will have to tackle it at some point. I do think it would have been better for me had I worked up it rather than reading it after only having read Daisy Miller. But I didn't want to take the time to do this unfortunately since I had the book on my shelf and it fit the prompt.
DeleteYour remark about James being at the crossroads between realism and stream of conscience is interesting and I will keep it in mind when I read more from him. That makes sense to me. It also ties into Kathy's remark about Faulkner whose more challenging works definitely are stream of consciousness.
Ruthiella, I also remember your experience with Henry James. Can it be possible to read his difficult titles without expecting to understand those wordy and long sentences? I know that himself recommends a slow read, but I didn't obey, huh. I read Ambassadors relatively fast, and that helped me with some coherence even when in some parts I was simply confused.
DeleteAnd pardon me if this is cheating, I read Spark notes synopsis before and after the chapters. That was huge help. It helps to know by the notes that some sections or things are unclear, period, so, why read them over and over, if we're still going to be in the dark.
Reading him in order may or may not help. A faster read, and a second read of the last works could be key, and yet one needs to be in the mood for his writing, and it's difficult because many worthy and demanding books are in my list, so it's hard for me to make all the room I need. But who knows when I will surprise myself with another James's title.
Hi Silvia! As we both commented in your post about the Ambassadors, we both were able to often understand the mood of James’ prose even when each sentence wasn’t hundred percent clear. I find that a very interesting phenomenon. What is working in our subconsciousness to make this happen? You are right, of course, that building up to his last works might not be the key to his final masterpieces.
DeleteI suspect you are also right in that a second read of The Wings of the Dove will be more beneficial to me. I wouldn’t count it out completely, but alas…so many books, so little time! Re-reading often can be so rewarding however. I do wish I made more time for it. Sometimes I like to use audio for a re-read since it makes me feel like I am being more efficient with my time. I’ll keep that in mind as an option, though for audio, I normally prefer novels that are more plot driving than The Wings of the Dove. It might be an interesting experiment.
I don’t think using Sparks Notes or similar is cheating at all. I have used this kind of assist for other books such as Midnight’s Children and Ulysses. I think they are great resources! :D
This book might be my favorite Henry James novel. I know it makes me a little weird, but I have always loved Henry James and his wordy prose. I just get caught up in his language and in his characters. I'm glad you made it through this one...and that you didn't hate it! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Lark, you big weirdo you! JUST KIDDING. :D I am looking forward to reading more James. I think I should, however, read one of his more accessible titles, like The Bostonians as Kathy suggests in the above comment before I try either The Ambassadors or The Golden Bowl. A little more familiarity with his style will do me good in the long run.
DeleteDefinitely wait on The Golden Bowl! I understand he dictated that one, and his writing is a lot more convoluted and hard to follow. I struggled a bit with that one. But I liked The Ambassadors. The Europeans is a fun one, too, and one of his shorter novels.
DeleteIt's nice to read positive thoughts on James. I read one of this books once a long time ago and don't particularly remember enjoying it although I don't remember much about it. One day I will try James and remember to employ patience and perhaps a guide, as Silvia suggested. Thanks for the review and for helping me to have more appreciation for his art!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment Cleo! I am definitely willing to read more from James. I had also read Colm Toibin's The Master a couple of years ago which is fiction based on the life of Henry James and it made me very curious about James' novels. Sylvia is right to recommend patience, however. But there is real satisfaction in reading a challenging book and taking one's time with it, I think.
Delete>It’s a good thing that one of the main characters is also a little dense.
ReplyDeleteThat made me smile - Henry James always makes me feel dense, which is maybe why I resent him so!
Good for you, rising to the challenge. You're a braver reader than I am.
Thanks for the comment Jane! I would actually recommend Daisy Miller for anyone wanting to try Henry James. It is short and didn't make me feel dense.:D
DeleteI'm not a Henry James fan, though I understand he had 3 distinct periods, and I like his early writings best. The Portrait of a Lady was very good, and as you put it...more accessible.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Joseph! I suspect my results with James will be similar to yours...I will end up liking his earlier writings best.
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