Author : Henry James
Score: 9/10
Year: 1896 (original) ; 1999 (present edition)
Publisher: Nybooks (New York Review Books)
ISBN 9780940322325
Pages (v-xiii+) 324
Language: English
The Other House is the 7th Henry James story that I've read thus far, and despite two small points in common with one of the previous six, it stands out as a very different story and tone set by James.
James had meant it to as a play but when it failed to be produced, he converted it for publication, first serialized in a weekly magazine, and then as a novel, both in 1896.
This perhaps explains the short chapters and the three Books it is divided into, in a very fluid manner, from chapter to chapter, with a mini cliffhanger that made me want to read the next and see his development unfold.
After giving birth, Julia Bream believes that she is dying. She wishes to spare her daughter a similar experience of a horrible stepmother and extracts from her husband Tony to never marry again. Bound to his promise, Tony never even suspects any woman could feel anything but friendship towards him, and remains faithful and blind to any pursuits. On the other hand, others in this story, pursue one another cordially and civilly, but with strife and manipulations behind the scenes.
The Other House revolves around two British Estates, and, with a background of romance, infuses a series of struggles and entanglements, where societal obligations drive people to sometimes act unexpectedly, manipulating and even murdering for their goals.
Henry James's style here is usually very fluid, as I said above. Many phrases are very colorful or poetic and he's very good at describing his characters' emotions, especially their bewilderment and anxiety. He portrays these people very well, as each one has a unique temperament and habits, qualities and flaws.
Dialogues are never overly repetitive, alternating to other descriptive terms as to avoid said repetition ; the novel itself has a great pacing between the chapters, alternating between an omniscient narrator addressing the readers with "has there been someone here to see", and the characters themselves.
I understand the critics in his period weren't expecting such a story, with such a murder, and hence, were rather negative towards James ; but, I find it a unique exercise in storytelling, and contrary to them, can follow the narrative lines leading to the motive, and to the acts - not that it excuses this character, off course.
PS : I warn you that Louis Begley's Introduction spoils the story and its conclusion! I didn't actually read it, but saw, when I perused it after I finished the novel. You've been warned!
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