Washington Square

By: Henry James

Narrated by: Adam Sims

Washington Square tells the poignant and gently comic story of Catherine Sloper, a sweet and unassuming young heiress, and her fortune-seeking suitor Morris Townsend. Set in New York City during the 1840s, the story follows Ms. Sloper's conflicts with her concerned father, who attempts to thwart Mr. Townsend, and her busybody aunt, who encourages the attachment. But amid all the duplicity and folly, Ms. Sloper slowly grows towards independence and maturity, and begins to make her own decisions.

Download the accompanying reference guide.Public Domain (P)2016 Naxos AudioBooks

if you are going to be pushed you had better jump

“if you are going to be pushed you had better jump”
― Henry James, Washington Square

In the spirit of Jane Austin or Brontë, Henry James gets his family love drama on. Washinton Square slowly unfolds the story of simple Catherine's romance with Morris Townsend. Set against this ill-fated relationship is simple Catherine's brilliant but cold father who suspects Morris Townsend of mercenary designs on simple Catherine's fortune (from her mother and eventually from him). Working to fascilitate this relationship is simple Catherine's aunt Lavinia, and Dr. Sloper's sister, who is romantic in her view of Morris Townsend, despite her brother's suspicions.

The novel, at its core, suspends simple Catherine between the judgement of her father and the narcissim of Morris Townsend. Trapped, Henry James gives her only one simple way of escape -- growth.

The narrative is straight. The prose is clean. It isn't the greatest James novel I've read so far, but it is still fascinating in its clarity and its power. I didn't like Dr. Sloper, but I respected him. Lavinia irritated me. Simple Catherine grew on my throughout the novel. And, as a father of a daughter, I couldn't view Morris Townsend with anything BUT contempt.

Not a Henry Hames fan

On all technical aspects, this book was excellent; however, the story simply did not appeal to me, James created a long narrative for a very simple plot. I usually love Victorian literature, and am used to the long explanations and detailed emotional descriptions of things, but this book was a real slog to get through.

I am sure many others will enjoy it though, and overall it is in good form.

What??

The ending was so unsatisfying. But the performance of the story was great! Thanks Audible

Loved the narration

The book was just as engaging as the 1949 movie, though I loved the movie ending better.

Washington Square – A Quiet Triumph

Reading Washington Square has been a delight from start to finish. Once again, Henry James’s pen feels unmistakable — his writing is simple, yet rich and subtle, with that refined clarity that makes even silence feel meaningful.

From the start, the tension is almost unbearable. It feels like watching someone standing at the edge of a cliff — will she jump, or won’t she? Catherine’s quietness only makes it more intense. She isn’t dramatic, but every word, every glance, carries enormous weight.

The result is a story that feels both elegant and suffocating. The humor and irony come mostly from Aunt Penniman, the would-be matchmaker — a wonderfully comical figure with her fluttering manners and misplaced sense of importance. She would be hilarious if she weren’t also so infuriating in her meddling. I can’t help but feel she’s living it all by proxy, projecting her own need for excitement onto Catherine’s life.

When I reached the end, I didn’t know quite what to feel — sadness, relief, admiration? It’s not a happy ending in the traditional sense, but it’s a Henry James ending — truthful, restrained, and quietly powerful.