The Master
2 journalers for this copy...
new work by a great author. Gratuitious purchase since it will be a month of Sundays before I get to it.
This was the Septemeber selection for the gay men's book club I belong to but we did not meet in Sept, so only discussed it tonight.
The book is a fictionalized account of Henry James' life during the 5 years immediately preceeding the turn from the 19th to 20th century. Toibin clearly is a James fan and the book is written materfully in James' style.
The book describes not only the events and supposed dialogue in James' life through a series of remeberances by the author, but we are given motivations for the things he wrote and glipses into the charcater and lives of the real-life people upon who James often based his stories.
The book describes some of James' own emotional relationships but in a circumspect way that I am told is characteristic of James' own way of describing such events in his work. Those who know James' work describe the book as a tribute to James because Toibin writes so well in the Jamesian style without it appearing to be an effort to copy or ape the original author. The book can be, as it was by me, enjoyed by someone with no previous exposure to James' books.
I am already a fan of Toibin's work but he has now made me curious to read some of the works of Henry James.
The book is a fictionalized account of Henry James' life during the 5 years immediately preceeding the turn from the 19th to 20th century. Toibin clearly is a James fan and the book is written materfully in James' style.
The book describes not only the events and supposed dialogue in James' life through a series of remeberances by the author, but we are given motivations for the things he wrote and glipses into the charcater and lives of the real-life people upon who James often based his stories.
The book describes some of James' own emotional relationships but in a circumspect way that I am told is characteristic of James' own way of describing such events in his work. Those who know James' work describe the book as a tribute to James because Toibin writes so well in the Jamesian style without it appearing to be an effort to copy or ape the original author. The book can be, as it was by me, enjoyed by someone with no previous exposure to James' books.
I am already a fan of Toibin's work but he has now made me curious to read some of the works of Henry James.
Released 18 yrs ago (10/14/2005 UTC) at
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
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A RACBK book from Spedbug's wish list. To one Master about another. Its a great read. Enjoy.
A RACBK book from Spedbug's wish list. To one Master about another. Its a great read. Enjoy.
I received this book (along with another) in the mail, today, from ottawabill. I swear this dear, sweet fellow bookcrosser is psychic. This is the second time he's surprised me with something when I was feeling a little "buffeted by life".
Thank you, Bill, for the "Master" compliment as well as the "hug via mail" - I look forward to reading it.
12/19/05: I finally got around to reading this book. While I enjoyed it, I also found it mildly depressing. Toibin illustrates a James that both longs for and is frightened by intimate relationships - a James that both needs companionship but dislikes restrictions on his personal life - a trait I recognize in myself.
Like ottawabill, I'm interested in reading something by Henry James, now, to see if I can "feel" the man Toibin described in his works.
Thank you, Bill, for the "Master" compliment as well as the "hug via mail" - I look forward to reading it.
12/19/05: I finally got around to reading this book. While I enjoyed it, I also found it mildly depressing. Toibin illustrates a James that both longs for and is frightened by intimate relationships - a James that both needs companionship but dislikes restrictions on his personal life - a trait I recognize in myself.
Like ottawabill, I'm interested in reading something by Henry James, now, to see if I can "feel" the man Toibin described in his works.
Journal Entry 5 by SpedBug at Marshallton Post Office - 3434 Old Capitol Trail in Wilmington, Delaware USA on Tuesday, January 3, 2006
Released 18 yrs ago (1/3/2006 UTC) at Marshallton Post Office - 3434 Old Capitol Trail in Wilmington, Delaware USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
There was a huge line at the post office, today, so I got to see a couple of people nibble the "abandoned" book while I waited my turn. No one had bit before I left but I'm hoping someone will get hooked on this good book and enjoy it as much as I did. :)
There was a huge line at the post office, today, so I got to see a couple of people nibble the "abandoned" book while I waited my turn. No one had bit before I left but I'm hoping someone will get hooked on this good book and enjoy it as much as I did. :)