The Other HouseThe Other House is one of the most startling and disconcerting of James's novels. Written at the same time as such terse masterpieces as The Spoils of Poynton and What Maisie Knew, it is like them a story of a struggle for possession and of its devastating consequences. Three women seek in very different ways to secure the affections of one man, while he, in turn, tries to humor and please them all. In the middle of this contest of wills stands his unwitting and very vulnerable young daughter. The savage conclusion of The Other House makes it one of the most disturbing and memorable of Henry James's depiction of the evil that lies under the polished veneer of civilized life. |
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - proustitute - LibraryThing4.5/5 stars A tricky book to rate, and more thoughts coming soon—likely lengthy thoughts. Despite how this novel is considered a "minor" James, I think it's a pivotal one, one that shows his shift ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - stillatim - LibraryThingWorst James I've read? Certainly. I recognize that there are reasons for that: this was meant to be a play, and he's much better at understated moral turmoil than understated murderous rage. And if ... Read full review