Last month at the International James conference in Vancouver we were treated to the most fascinating keynote presentation (via Philip Horne) on The Golden Bowl’s critical reception in the US, which coincided with HJ’s first trip stateside in 23 years. No one knew what to make of it, and little has changed in 120 years. I look forward to reading your piece in its entirety and rereading the ‘Bowl annually.
I prefer The Ambassadors and The Wings of the Dove, finding the 'collecting' preoccupation, which James actually seems to find interesting, stultifying -- but your enthusiasm is infectious! I do like, I remember, the couple whose conversations act as a kind of choric commentary...
And there I was, halfway through The Portrait of a Lady and patting myself on the back, thinking to myself “I’m actually enjoying this—maybe I can appreciate James after all!” only to now find that this is “easy James”. Oh well, always another mountain to climb. 😅
The BBC ( I think ) produced an exquisite series on TGB in 1970s which still rests in my eye. Alas, no sign of it now on BBC IPlayer (only The Golden Cobra). You have inspired me to follow up now 50 years on and read it , thank you.
I read it this year. I did not find it difficult & it is wonderful. You want difficult? I am about two-thirds into Ada but keep bogging down. I loved Lolita & Pale Fire but Ada is a beating.
I found The Golden Bowl one of the most frustrating novels I’ve ever read. I’m one of those people who hates to give up on a book and I was tempted to do so with this . Then after pages of excruciating boredom, I’d hit a paragraph or page that was absolutely brilliant and I realized this was a novel worth suffering for , sort of like eating steamed blue crabs. I’ve read any number of pieces that “ explain “ what’s going on in the novel and have never been persuaded by them. I don’t buy that you the reader of The Golden Bowl really know what’s going on or exactly who’s doing what and I think that’s one of its great strengths. In terms of James late style, I’ve repeatedly laughed at a remark I’ve seen attributed to Graham Greene, he( James) didn’t give a shit about his readers.
Last month at the International James conference in Vancouver we were treated to the most fascinating keynote presentation (via Philip Horne) on The Golden Bowl’s critical reception in the US, which coincided with HJ’s first trip stateside in 23 years. No one knew what to make of it, and little has changed in 120 years. I look forward to reading your piece in its entirety and rereading the ‘Bowl annually.
oh I bet that was excellent
“The Golden Bowl” deserves a reader such as Henry Oliver. Bravo.
thank you!
I prefer The Ambassadors and The Wings of the Dove, finding the 'collecting' preoccupation, which James actually seems to find interesting, stultifying -- but your enthusiasm is infectious! I do like, I remember, the couple whose conversations act as a kind of choric commentary...
The Assinghams! TWOTD is also sublime, I LOVE it, but I cannot find as much feeling for Ambassadors, excellent though it is
"literature is read in the spirit of ambition, not acceptance". I love this idea
And there I was, halfway through The Portrait of a Lady and patting myself on the back, thinking to myself “I’m actually enjoying this—maybe I can appreciate James after all!” only to now find that this is “easy James”. Oh well, always another mountain to climb. 😅
well, easy compared to late James
The BBC ( I think ) produced an exquisite series on TGB in 1970s which still rests in my eye. Alas, no sign of it now on BBC IPlayer (only The Golden Cobra). You have inspired me to follow up now 50 years on and read it , thank you.
excellent, do lmk what you think of it
I read it this year. I did not find it difficult & it is wonderful. You want difficult? I am about two-thirds into Ada but keep bogging down. I loved Lolita & Pale Fire but Ada is a beating.
I found The Golden Bowl one of the most frustrating novels I’ve ever read. I’m one of those people who hates to give up on a book and I was tempted to do so with this . Then after pages of excruciating boredom, I’d hit a paragraph or page that was absolutely brilliant and I realized this was a novel worth suffering for , sort of like eating steamed blue crabs. I’ve read any number of pieces that “ explain “ what’s going on in the novel and have never been persuaded by them. I don’t buy that you the reader of The Golden Bowl really know what’s going on or exactly who’s doing what and I think that’s one of its great strengths. In terms of James late style, I’ve repeatedly laughed at a remark I’ve seen attributed to Graham Greene, he( James) didn’t give a shit about his readers.