Great comments so far.
Quote:
Originally Posted by poohbear_nc
Disclaimer: I am a HUGE fan of Henry James, and have been reading his works since college.
I read this novel last year (as part of my project to read all of Henry James' fiction in chronological order). My reading experience was painful ... previously I had designated The Princess Casamassima as my most excruciating reading experience, but Maisie currently tops the list. It could have been funny - the plot is absurd, and the parental handings off of Maisie to one another are preposterous. James was quite capable of writing with what I call a "Wharton" touch -- arch comedy in high-brow settings -- but this was a moralizing nightmare ... sluggishly paced with insipid dialogue ... ouch!
[I'm currently reading, and enjoying, The Awkward Age - which also deals with how to raise young girls in 'high' society. A vast improvement in content, character, and style.
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I love Henry James as well. The Portrait of a Lady is among my favourite books. I admire your project. I read slowly enough and have such a wide range of book interests and big to-read list that it would be very difficult for me to decide to concentrate on one author like that, though James would be at or near the top of my list if I ever do.
My opinion of What Maisie Knew isn't as intense as yours but trends in the same direction. It is still James so I still enjoyed the writing, but the story and certain aspects of it weren't nearly as good as other James I've read. Particularly, I didn't think he wrote the character of Maisie very well. I agree about the moralising as well; while in books such as The Portrait of a Lady and The Wings of the Dove decisions are made by characters based on their moral philosophy and left for us to judge, I felt like this book was more so telling us, or at the least strongly implying, what was right and wrong with regard to this couple and their child.
I chose this book somewhat at random a little over a year ago just to read something by James since I hadn't in a long time. I was pressed for time so wanted one of his shorter works but preferred something longer than a short story and settled on this, thinking since a film had recently been made of it perhaps it'd be a solid choice. While I'm happy I read it, I do think it's one of his lesser works.