These two smilers haunt me.
I'm reading Michelle de Kretser's The Lost Dog. Some fine, fine writing by yet another author for whom Henry James is a key reference. And I remain an aspiring writer who hasn't read a word of his or, even more shamefully, of Jane Austen.
Irritating how self judgement focuses so readily on what one hasn't done.
So, this year I'm coming for both of them. And I'm going to start with the divine Miss A, as she's at least polite enough not to stare so disapprovingly.
But with which book do I start?
I had to read H. James about the same time I was forced to read W. James. They both filled me with a sense of meh.
ReplyDeleteHowever British you may be, I am more British still. -Henry James
pleasure to find such a good artical! please keep update!! ........................................
ReplyDeleteI wonder, which did you choose? (I've just stumbled upon your blog, after finding Joannacannon's).
ReplyDeleteMy choice would have been Austen's Persuasion. It is her best, in my opinion.
Thanks Melissa,
ReplyDeleteEr... I didn't get to Ms Austen; don't know why but other books on the pile regularly rise above hers. However, I'm too embarrassed now to go on ignoring her. I'll start with Persuasion.
Lol, for the life of me I can't get my husband to break down and read her either. :_ Good luck with whatever you have chosen. I hope it's wonderful.
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