Rating: 
Summary: A page-turner
Review: Very tightly written with an mesmerizing plot, I found compelled to read it virtually in one sitting. H. James captured the emotions of a father trying to "protect" his only daughter from a vulture suitor. I felt very much the same when my daughter became engaged to marry a non-descript yokel.
Rating: 
Summary: when personal desire conflicts with parental love...
Review: Washington Square has the "best of both worlds" amongst the works of Henry James. It doesn't have the brilliant yet boring narrative of his longer novels but it does have sufficient characterization often lacking in his novellas. Washington Square captures the mood of 1830s New York and the lonely live of a bland young rich woman (a daughter of a widowed doctor). She is wooed unexpectedly by an attractive young man, much to the regret of her father who thinks he is nothing more than a gold-digger. Ultimately our leading lady must choose between her lover and her father. Not an easy choice. And it is this choice which changes her outlook on life. Yes, it is a moving story. But fortunately it does not degrade into a tear-jerker.Washington Square is the basis of a rather popular 1949 film titled 'The Heiress' starring Olivia de Havilland and Montgomery Clift. The first half of the film follows the novel to a 'T', but then the film deviates into a more melodramatic (yet enjoyable) track. Overall the film and novel are mutually exclusive in that if you've experienced one you probably won't enjoy the other.
Rating:
Summary: A quick and satisfying read
Review: Washington Square is an amazingly easy read. The overall storyline is simple enough to follow: A young woman with a large fortune, Catherine Sloper, is being pursued by an almost penniless, yet handsome and charming, young man, Morris Townsend. The heroine's father, Dr. Sloper, is against the match, saying he will disinherit Catherine if she decides to marry Morris. So the overrall question is will she choose love or duty? Simple, isn't it? This is what makes this book so wonderful and clever. James uses such a simple storyline to draw out complex and complicated characters that make you question what their real motives are. James' immediate portrayals of his characters seem almost one-dimensional. Beginning with the book's heroine, Catherine is seen as a plain, dull, and almost stupid girl with an unyielding devotion to her father. Dr. Sloper is an intelligent and prosperous man, who unfortunately cares little for his daughter because she is 'decidedly not clever.' Dr. Sloper's sister, Mrs. Penniman, is shown as a meddlesome aunt. And finally, one can already guess, that Morris Townsend, the penniless young charmer, is none other than a fortune hunter. When once you see him, can you doubt that he is only after Catherine for her money? Yet, throughout the novel, new sides of each character are being shown, creating multi-faceted characters out of the simple and easy to understand characters we first see. Catherine isn't as simple-minded as originally made out to be. Her devotion to her father is understandable because you know that she is a merely being a good and pure and loyal daughter. But we also see that her loyalty and devotion can be given to someone other than her father. We see Catherine does have some backbone because she is so steadfast in her loyalty concerning both her father and Morris. Dr. Sloper's motives are very unclear. He is rough and tough towards his daughter, but he cannot continue being indifferent to her. Is it because he finally has found some feeling for her or because his pride has taken a blow? Aunt Penniman: what is her real motive concerning Catherine and Morris' relationship? And throughout the book, you are never really sure if Morris is just after Catherine's money or if he really does love her in some fashion. It is a quick and satisfying read, but beware that this is not a romance. There are topics found in the novel that anybody can relate to, be it from sympathizing with Catherine's character, or understanding something of the others. Even though there are many things to think about and question after reading this book, it is definitely worth your while to read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Father / daughter relationship...........
Review: Washington Square is the story of a daughter's relationship with her father, a widowed physician. Dr. Sloper sees his daughter as plain and not very intelligent, and when a young man shows an interest in Dr. Sloper's daughter, Catherine, Dr. Sloper decides that the young man is merely attempting to access Catherine's fortune and he decides to put an end to it. Catherine Sloper never seems to quite make a stand for herself and her future unfolds in ways that none of them foresee.
Henry James tells a blunt straight-forward tale of a family choose to approach any problems or differences with an almost clinical detachment from deep emotion. Henry James is an eloquent author with a minimalist manner of expression.
Rating:
Summary: Father / daughter relationship...........
Review: Washington Square is the story of a daughter's relationship with her father, a widowed physician. Dr. Sloper sees his daughter as plain and not very intelligent, and when a young man shows an interest in Dr. Sloper's daughter, Catherine, Dr. Sloper decides that the young man is merely attempting to access Catherine's fortune and he decides to put an end to it. Catherine Sloper never seems to quite make a stand for herself and her future unfolds in ways that none of them foresee.
Henry James tells a blunt straight-forward tale of a family choose to approach any problems or differences with an almost clinical detachment from deep emotion. Henry James is an eloquent author with a minimalist manner of expression.
Rating:
Summary: Review of Washington Square
Review: Washington Square, written by Henry James, is a novel which takes place in the 1800's. It is about a quiet and well behaved girl named Catherine Sloper, the daughter of an infamous doctor in town. One day, she meets Morris Townsend, a very good looking man who wishes to marry her. Catherine's father feels as if he's only after the fortune she will inherit and doesn't want the marriage to happen.
James' development of the characters in the novel is very in depth, giving insight into their minds. The reader is then able to see the themes of deception in the novel. Catherine is always struggling with her father for his acceptance; however, she feels betrayed by him since he won't allow the marriage between she and Morris. At the same time, Dr. Sloper feels let down by Catherine because he thinks that she won't take his advice about Morris.
Another noticeable part of this novel is the change Catherine goes through. In the beginning of the book, she was weak and wouldn't speak up for herself. As the story continues, she becomes stronger and more defiant, especially to her father. This was a big statement during the time period since women weren't supposed to speak their mind about issues. They didn't have as much of a say in society as they do now. The novel shows how James supports the rights of women, since he put Catherine as the heroine.
Many people would enjoy this book because the story is very easy to understand. James' style of writing is clear-cut and well thought out. The only downfall of the novel is the lack of action, but it is still interesting to see the story develop.
Rating:
Summary: Review of Washington Square
Review: Washington Square, written by Henry James, is a novel which takes place in the 1800's. It is about a quiet and well behaved girl named Catherine Sloper, the daughter of an infamous doctor in town. One day, she meets Morris Townsend, a very good looking man who wishes to marry her. Catherine's father feels as if he's only after the fortune she will inherit and doesn't want the marriage to happen.
James' development of the characters in the novel is very in depth, giving insight into their minds. The reader is then able to see the themes of deception in the novel. Catherine is always struggling with her father for his acceptance; however, she feels betrayed by him since he won't allow the marriage between she and Morris. At the same time, Dr. Sloper feels let down by Catherine because he thinks that she won't take his advice about Morris.
Another noticeable part of this novel is the change Catherine goes through. In the beginning of the book, she was weak and wouldn't speak up for herself. As the story continues, she becomes stronger and more defiant, especially to her father. This was a big statement during the time period since women weren't supposed to speak their mind about issues. They didn't have as much of a say in society as they do now. The novel shows how James supports the rights of women, since he put Catherine as the heroine.
Many people would enjoy this book because the story is very easy to understand. James' style of writing is clear-cut and well thought out. The only downfall of the novel is the lack of action, but it is still interesting to see the story develop.
Rating: 
Summary: Engaging Story-Dissappointing Ending
Review: Washinton Square is an engaging story in the fact that it fixes your attention. I was very interested to find out what would become of Catherine Sloper. She is an innocent heroine pursued by a selfish man(Morris Townsend)for her fortune she stands to inherit. Her father is right in his assumption that Morris is a fortunehunter and does all in his power to stop a marriage from taking place. However, his motives are not purely to keep his daughter from unhappiness. They are mainly focused on vanquishing his foe. His daughter discovers that her father cares very little for her and her feelings, and this causes as much pain as realizing that her intended wants only her money. I do not read fiction to view reality, but to escape it. Therefore, I was not satisfied with the ending. I would have liked the ending more if Catherine had realized the true happiness of escaping such an unhappy existence of being married to someone she couldn't respect or trust. Instead she hangs onto her love for Morris even after discovering what he truly is.
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