The Wings of the Dove Audiobook

" I put it down at 43%. His writing is perfectly understandable, especially if you let it stream into your consciousness without stopping to wonder what is exactly meant by each phrase. Your first thought is probably correct most of the time so best to simply power through (more like Proust than Shakespeare that is). The story didn't hold my interest and I didn't identify with any of the characters. Maybe a course on James would change my mind, but without historical or literary context this work on its own is uninteresting. "

" I have no patience for all that blather, those impossible sentences. And e e cummings should have capitalized stuff. Yeah. "

" admittedly, i only ready 50 pages of this book. but i bought it, and it resides on my bookshelf, so it counts. "

" This novel was haunting to me. It is an intimate story of love and betrayal, the depths we will sink to get what we want, and the curse getting what we want can become. Yet, there is a love for the characters that develops. You understand their strengths, weaknesses and struggles. Ultimately, though, i cannot separate myself from the horror of the plot. A good lesson in life - the depravity of ourselves and others - but a painful one. "

" I can't kid myself any longer. I'm unlikely to wake up tomorrow any better equipped to work through this tedium, PhD in literature notwithstanding. "

" Oh, Henry James. Henry James! Why are you a dead closeted gay man with an impacted bowel disorder, instead of my best friend? If Henry James were alive, I would take him to the Violet Hour and buy him twenty-five "Juliet + Romeo" cocktails and a tray of deviled eggs. However, there are few people of whom you can say with such confidence that they were literally killed by modernity. So if Henry James were alive today, he would probably die almost instantaneously of shock brought on by the sight of people in shorts. Nevertheless, I wish I could thank him for The Wings of the Dove, and for Kate Croy most of all. The secret heroine of the book, as the smartest woman always is in a Henry James novel. "

" Another book and movie for Venice lovers. "

" I've read convoluted literature that wasn't at all diminished by it's complexity, but this one definitely was. The story would have been engaging enough, but James' technique here is not good. Sometimes I would read a sentence and just start laughing because they are so absurdly put together, not in a fun Joycean way, but in a way that makes the entire book a tremendous slog. "

" A tougher read, but brilliant. James seems to ramble at times, but he actually brings together the themes he's worked with throughout his earlier career. "

" I read this quite awhile ago--as I recall, it was hard to get into because the prose was so dense. "

" This was the first Henry James novel I have read. I was able to grasp the basic plotlines, and thought the story was interesting, but the language takes some getting used to! So many commas... "

" Didn't get to finish. His sentences are long and winding and it's distracting. Loved the movie! "

" This is the most beautifully written book in the world. "

" I actually really liked this book. It was difficult to get in to, but I find that is more a function of James' style versus the content of the book. I was really intrigued by the mystery he added to the story; I was kept guessing at what would happen next. "

" Marvellous, intricate, emotional, penetrating: a poised, brilliant, touching story. "

" Love James, but this felt a little tedious... "

" I guess a 3.5? I feel like a jerk giving a low-ish rating to something that has been around for an entire century. It wasn't bad writing, but it was egregiously long for its substance. "

" a little hard going on the words, but powerful and emotional nevertheless "

" I gave up ridiculously close to the end. Usually, I won't review a book unless I finish it, but it tortured me so much trying to get through this one I couldn't resist. If it gives me any credit, I usually love Henry James, but this was BORING. "

" The most sentimental of James's late novels. It provides a good example of why villains are so much more colorful than heroes and heroines. "

" I loved the story, but I had a strenuous time getting through it. There is not that much dialogue and I find it hard to follow shuch a long book with that is mainly narrative. "

" Oh, Henry James. Henry James! Why are you a dead closeted gay man with an impacted bowel disorder, instead of my best friend? If Henry James were alive, I would take him to the Violet Hour and buy him twenty-five "Juliet + Romeo" cocktails and a tray of deviled eggs. However, there are few people of whom you can say with such confidence that they were literally killed by modernity. So if Henry James were alive today, he would probably die almost instantaneously of shock brought on by the sight of people in shorts. Nevertheless, I wish I could thank him for The Wings of the Dove, and for Kate Croy most of all. The secret heroine of the book, as the smartest woman always is in a Henry James novel. "

" Not sure! Both liked and disliked this book. Liked that it was thought provoking; disliked a plot line that somehow seemed trite and not worthwhile. Characters are likely to stay with me; they are well developed so as to be memorable. James's writing (dictating?) at times is insufferable. The settings are fun. Intriguing is how charming and fetching is the chief villainess, to the point of asking is she a villain or a woman who tried to prolong the life of her dear friend Milly, while providing for her father and sister and retaining her eventual relationship with her beloved -- only to fail miserably. "

" Too many words, too few silences. "

" Didn't get to finish. His sentences are long and winding and it's distracting. Loved the movie! "

" I liked it. Begrudgingly, I liked it. This style of novel for some reason continues to compel me. But James' tendency to equivocate for pages over the most trivial things made me want to reach through the book and give him a good pinching! Some seriously excruciating moments that tried even my tolerance for such nonsense. But it grew on me, I admit, it grew on me. "

" Long winded, yet poetically lyrical. "

" Being bad tarnishes your soul. This was my first James. I remember it was demanding and beautiful. James is the standard by which I want to judge all other authors. If I only read those at his skill level I'd have few to chose from... "

" Being bad tarnishes your soul. This was my first James. I remember it was demanding and beautiful. James is the standard by which I want to judge all other authors. If I only read those at his skill level I'd have few to chose from... "

" This book was great in merit but poor in enjoy-ability. The intensive literary devices were brilliant but torturous. I loved, loved, loved the last 50 pages. I loved the setting, particularly in Venice. However, this was probably my least favorite Henry James to date. "

" All the arguments you could have ended with a punch, but didn't. Goddamn Victorians. "

" admittedly, i only ready 50 pages of this book. but i bought it, and it resides on my bookshelf, so it counts. "

" I really enjoyed this book. Henry James drew characters who were as complex as real people are. I could be dismayed with their actions and truly understand their motives. "

" I've tried several times and couldn't get through it. "

" the ending of this book really redeemed it. i found it a difficult but ultimately rewarding read. i do wish i could have read milly's letter before it got tossed in the fire. oh well! "

" I really enjoyed this book. Henry James drew characters who were as complex as real people are. I could be dismayed with their actions and truly understand their motives. "

" why do i have to force myself to read henry james ? he was a brilliant writer and i enjoy translating his old language into thoughts i can understand. i enjoy his morals and themes. "

" This is the most difficult book I have ever read. The syntax was difficult and the descriptive sentences were so long, it was difficult to remember wo what they were referring. "

" Yes, he uses "prodigious," "magnificent," and "stupendous" much too often; yes, now and then I really did not fathom the meaning of his sentences; but generally, the depth of his portrayals and, especially, the beauty of his language were thrilling. It was intense, riveting, and also exquisite. "

" My favorite Henry James' work. Especially the last line... "

" I didn't really care about the characters and the plot seemed a little weak. What did stir me was the theme of using somebody only to find out that proximity leads to fondness. Reminded me of my 20s when I was a bad person. A book of guilt, shame, and undeserved rewards. "

" I guess a 3.5? I feel like a jerk giving a low-ish rating to something that has been around for an entire century. It wasn't bad writing, but it was egregiously long for its substance. "

" Henry James has beautiful people inside of his head, if only his verbal diarrhea didn't get in the way. Dear Jesus, I wish he knew how to write a short sentence. "

" I guess a 3.5? I feel like a jerk giving a low-ish rating to something that has been around for an entire century. It wasn't bad writing, but it was egregiously long for its substance. "

" I read this book on the way to and in Venice: amazing. it's very challenging James, there's no doubt, but Kate Croy's too fabulous to miss. For sheer atmosphere, unbeatable. "

" just couldn't get into it, was bored all the time. "

" This book is ok. Kind of reminiscent of Edith Wharton's style/subject matter. "

" I want to loves James but he thwarts me at every turn. I liked the movie better and that kills me a little bit. "

" Am I missing something here, or is the book missing something? Maybe it's one of those books you have to finish before you really understand what's going on. "

" Long winded, yet poetically lyrical. "

" All the arguments you could have ended with a punch, but didn't. Goddamn Victorians. "

" I loved the story, but I had a strenuous time getting through it. There is not that much dialogue and I find it hard to follow shuch a long book with that is mainly narrative. "

" After seeing this movie, I was motivated to read the book. I had never read any Henry James before, and it was tough going, a little hard to read, but I still enjoyed it. "

" I can't kid myself any longer. I'm unlikely to wake up tomorrow any better equipped to work through this tedium, PhD in literature notwithstanding. "

" I have the penguin edition of this, but my cover is different, so it isn't precisely the same edition. Skip the notes! They give away some important plot points. "

" It's about how love, money, and the love of money, mixed in with deception, can change people. It's hard to find anyone to like in this book. "

" This is the most beautifully written book in the world. "

" I think I would have really loved this if it wasn't written by Henry James. "

" This may sound a bit philistinish, but, to me, most of James' novels seem to be about the same things. Rich Americans in Europe visiting monuments and galleries. "

" James at his loveable? wordy best. Not as completely confusing as The Golden Bowl. "

" Depressing but well written. A book about discovering one's true self - even if you think you are bad, there may just be good inside. Will you do the right thing or at least acknowledge the right thing to do? "

" Why take four words when you can take twenty eight? God this book was hard work! "

" After seeing this movie, I was motivated to read the book. I had never read any Henry James before, and it was tough going, a little hard to read, but I still enjoyed it. "

" All I can say is this contains some of the finest writing and use of languege that I've read in a long time. "

" This is not the edition I'm reading, will have to fetch the book to find by the ISBN. Purchased from Powell's Bookstore in May on a visit there with my brother and his wife... "

" A tougher read, but brilliant. James seems to ramble at times, but he actually brings together the themes he's worked with throughout his earlier career. "

" I want to loves James but he thwarts me at every turn. I liked the movie better and that kills me a little bit. "

" This book was great in merit but poor in enjoy-ability. The intensive literary devices were brilliant but torturous. I loved, loved, loved the last 50 pages. I loved the setting, particularly in Venice. However, this was probably my least favorite Henry James to date. "

" Why is most of James's work so depressing? "

" I finally found an author who I despise even more than D.H. Lawrence! "

" I've tried several times and couldn't get through it. "

" I heard this referenced in a movie (Notting Hill) and thought I would give it a go. Tried hard to force myself to enjoy it but I couldn't even make it past page 80! I rented the movie and it was not my cup of tea!! "

" James' sentence structure makes my head hurt! Read 100 pages and put it on the shelf. I was a lit major but dude, I'm not anymore. I'll watch the movie with Helena Bonham Carter instead. SHUT UP! "

" James at his loveable? wordy best. Not as completely confusing as The Golden Bowl. "

" one of my favorite novels by james. "

" The preface makes me long for 2,000 pages of Lionel Croy, a Century of Lionel Croy. "

" This was hard work for me to read, but I was in that zone and thoroughly enjoyed the rich description, subtle wit, and dense writing style. "

" The prose can be difficult to get into but do continue slowly and you will find yourself attached to Henry James' style which in my opinion, kind of intimate. I love this story and how it ends. It is perfect. "

" Slower than a stoned sloth, but the actual story and ending were awesome. "

" Wow, what a magnificent writer! I read this for his prose. The story seemed old fashioned, but loved the characters, the descriptions, the words! I highly recommend it. Savor it, take your time! "

" I actually really liked this book. It was difficult to get in to, but I find that is more a function of James' style versus the content of the book. I was really intrigued by the mystery he added to the story; I was kept guessing at what would happen next. "

" This was the first Henry James novel I have read. I was able to grasp the basic plotlines, and thought the story was interesting, but the language takes some getting used to! So many commas... "

" why do i have to force myself to read henry james ? he was a brilliant writer and i enjoy translating his old language into thoughts i can understand. i enjoy his morals and themes. "

" Not my favorite Henry James. Very wordy. "

" Too many words, too few silences. "

" I had a really hard time getting into this book, and had a harder time convincing myself to finish it. I picked up and finished a few other books at the same time, so it was just that I couldn't get into the language. The story was ok. I just thought that it wasn't as engaging as it could have been. "

" Am I turning into a Henry James fan? :-/ "

" Why is most of James's work so depressing? "

" Am I turning into a Henry James fan? :-/ "

" Why is most of James's work so depressing? "

" Am I turning into a Henry James fan? :-/ "

" Why is most of James's work so depressing? "

" Am I turning into a Henry James fan? :-/ "

" Why is most of James's work so depressing? "

" I enjoyed the story. I have to admit, however, that the writing didn't speak to me as I am sure it did to some members of my book group! Maybe I am just too busy right now, but I ended up skimming many of the passages. "

" I enjoyed the story. I have to admit, however, that the writing didn't speak to me as I am sure it did to some members of my book group! Maybe I am just too busy right now, but I ended up skimming many of the passages. "

" I enjoyed the story. I have to admit, however, that the writing didn't speak to me as I am sure it did to some members of my book group! Maybe I am just too busy right now, but I ended up skimming many of the passages. "

" I enjoyed the story. I have to admit, however, that the writing didn't speak to me as I am sure it did to some members of my book group! Maybe I am just too busy right now, but I ended up skimming many of the passages. "

" My favorite Henry James' work. Especially the last line... "

" My favorite Henry James' work. Especially the last line... "

" My favorite Henry James' work. Especially the last line... "

" My favorite Henry James' work. Especially the last line... "

" I didn't really feel empathy/sympathy/connection with any of the characters, and didn't know what was going on until the end. maybe I should read it again. but some of the words were beautiful and witty. "

" I didn't really feel empathy/sympathy/connection with any of the characters, and didn't know what was going on until the end. maybe I should read it again. but some of the words were beautiful and witty. "

" I didn't really feel empathy/sympathy/connection with any of the characters, and didn't know what was going on until the end. maybe I should read it again. but some of the words were beautiful and witty. "

" I didn't really feel empathy/sympathy/connection with any of the characters, and didn't know what was going on until the end. maybe I should read it again. but some of the words were beautiful and witty. "

" All I can say is this contains some of the finest writing and use of languege that I've read in a long time. "

" All I can say is this contains some of the finest writing and use of languege that I've read in a long time. "

" All I can say is this contains some of the finest writing and use of languege that I've read in a long time. "

" All I can say is this contains some of the finest writing and use of languege that I've read in a long time. "