Why people recommend it
Washington Square by Henry James is a compelling novella that explores themes of courtship, family control, and inheritance in nineteenth-century New York City. The book was featured on The Book Review podcast in July 2024 across two distinct episodes. In the episode titled Inside The New York Times Book Review: Mark Thompson's 'Enough Said', guest Greg Cowles explained how he came to read the work. Cowles recalled that after mentioning he had not yet read Henry James, another person insisted that he needed to start with Washington Square, prompting him to pick up the novella based on that advice. In another episode titled Tayari Jones on 'An American Marriage', host John Williams shared his own experience with the author's bibliography. Williams noted that he specifically chose Washington Square because it represents one of the author's earlier works and is relatively quick and easy to read when measured against James's later, more complex standard of writing. Together, these podcast segments underscore the novella's enduring status as an accessible entry point into the formidable literary world of Henry James.
Who recommended it
- John Williams Discussed
- Greg Cowles Recommended
John Williams — 1 mention
“I went to Washington Square which is one of his earlier novels and is by his standards relatively quick and easy to read”
Greg Cowles — 1 mention
“when he heard that I hadn't read Henry James he said oh you've got to at least read Washington Square and so that's why that one um you know be because Mark Sarvis recommended it to me”