Thread: Literary The Master by Colm Tóibín
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Old 03-31-2015, 09:58 AM   #25
ccowie
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl View Post
I thought Tóibín made James appear colder than he probably was. I don't think he was uncaring though. I think his introverted nature made him overthink relationships and worry about perceptions. I've been reading some extracts from his letters, and he seems warmer and less emotionally closed off than the impression that I got from the book.
I didn't find the portrayal to be cold. I completely agree that he overthought just about anything to do with relationships. His interior musings about locations, homes etc. seemed more succinct and decisive. But the hesitancy about everything to do with his relationships, particularly Constance, while possibly accurate, grew tiresome for me.

Your thoughts about his letters are interesting. But, he was a writer and so it's possible that clarity of emotion and resolve may come through in letters in a way that he couldn't muster face to face.
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