Product Description

The Awkward Age(1899), written at a time when female emancipation and the double standard were subjects of fierce debate, is the most remarkable example of James's dramatic method. The novel traces the experiences of 18-year-old Nanda Brookenham, exposed to corruption in the salon of her youthful, 'modern' mother, who, in maintaining a circle where talk is shockingly sophisticated, 'must sacrifice either her daughter or...her intellectual habits'. Does Nanda reach maturity and self-knowledge in the lively company of handsome, genial Vanderbank, whom she loves, and of ugly, intelligent, parvenu Mitchy, who loves her? Or is she a symbol of sterile idealism, as she clings to old Mr Longdon, with his memories of Nanda's grandmother, and of an aristocracy once untouched by money-troubles and dubious French novels? A sense of suppressed violence lurks behind this powerful story of virginal innocence and its importance in the marriage market.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #531872 in Books
• Published on: 1999-10-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Customer Reviews

Ambiguous
If you have never read any Henry James before then please, please don't start with this book. Of all his books this has to be the most ambiguous, after all we can take the 'awkward age' as that being the age where young Nanda is at, but also it could relate to most of the characters, and even to the age itself (the end of the 19th Century). This book has always met with huge differences of opinion with critics, and no wonder.

Nanda has been brought up hearing of her mother's 'salon' where things are discussed that were relevant to that age (the age of decadence and fin de seicle), thus her innocence could be seen as being corrupted. Old Mr Langdon, who was in love with Nanda's grandmother and sees her in Nanda doesn't want her to be corrupted, still living in a nostalgic view of the world being a simpler and easier place. He has decided who he wants to become Nanda's husband, but with others also vying for her hand, will he be able to get her to take his choice?

This story is set in 10 books, and there in lays the problem. In some ways each of these books is like a scene from a play, and as James has concentrated more in the vocalisation between the characters this reads more as a play (and we know what happened with James' plays). Indeed the speech at places is rather protracted, almost drawing out scenes to too great a length. Although this is what most critics have complained about this also is possibly the appeal of the story. I doubt if any two people will come away from reading this with the same views , making it ideal for any heated discussions in a reading group. It is this fact, that this book really makes you concentrate and think that has given it its appeal, but if you are looking for a quick read then this isn't it.

If you are not ino the books of Henry James then give this a wide berth. Even if you are into his books then you may still want to steer clear of this. The more you put into this the more rewarded and satisfied you will feel.

From the back cover....
`May fairly be considered one of James's major achievements' -- F. R. Leavis in The Great Tradition

Companion in theme, period, and setting to What Maisie Knew, THE AWKWARD AGE is another of Henry James's studies of innocence exposed to corrupting influences.

Nanda Brookenham is `coming out' in London society. Thrust suddenly into the vicious, immoral circle, which has gathered round her mother, she even finds herself in competition with Mrs Brookenham for the affection of a man she admires. The plot is almost entirely propelled by dialogue.