- Hardcover
- Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, New York (1938)
- ASIN: B0012Z5DCW
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is inspiring and thought provoking.,
By A Customer
This review is from: 20th Century House In Paris (Mass Market Paperback)
The House in Paris is about making choices. It starts by introducing the reader to 11 year old Henrietta who passes through the House in Paris while on her way to visit her Grandmother in Mentone. We are later introduced to Leopold. He is a nine year old boy, going to visit his mother in the House in Paris, whom he has never met. The house belongs to Madame Fisher and her daughter Naomi. The story then goes backwards, we find out how Leopold came to be. His mother had a tryst with Max while being engaged to someone else. Leopold's Father Max was Naomi's Fiance, whom he would have married had he not killed himself. I will not give the ending away, but the threads of the story come together and everyone has a connection to the house. Bowen's descriptive style of writing is evident throughout the chapters. I can guarantee readers that they won't want to put this book down. You wish the story wouldn't end.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Shifting perspectives makes this an evocative reading experience.,
By
This review is from: The House in Paris (Paperback)
All the characters' stories begin or end in the house in Paris set in the 1930's. A 9 yr. old boy's fate, Leopold, is at the center of the novel. The story veers between the present, the past and back again to the present in an effective manner. The scenes between the children are particularly well written. The adult stories unfold less satisfactorily as the characters aren't meant to communicate well between each other and the writing style requires some guess work as to what to read between the lines, but some of the frustration with the adult story line is due to the frustration with the way the characters behave - which makes for an interesting plot. By the end the reader has a good grasp of the characters thoughts and emotions, the story is powerful and sure to generate lots of discussion, despite the fact that aspects of the story are dated. Not a difficult read, but you must give your full attention to the prose in order to really feel the book's emotional punch.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended, although not perfect (how is that?),
By A Customer
This review is from: The House in Paris (Paperback)
The House in Paris is my first encounter with Bowen's work and definitely won't be the last. She is a beautiful writer with occasional unidiomatic lapses which are compensated for in stunning paragraphs elsewhere. The scenes and characters come alive; the best way I can describe it is that they are "intensely lived." Bowen is never on autopilot. In particular, I found the scenes where Karen visits her aunt & uncle in Ireland and the scene in which Henrietta meets Mme. Fisher very evocative and enthralling despite the lack of anything much happening. Bowen also has a surehanded dramatic technique when needed.I did find some weaknesses, which is why I give the novel 4 stars (but then the "degree of difficulty" is high). I don't ever find the romance between Karen and Max to be accessible; Bowen's portrayal is intentionally inscrutable. Though only nine, Leopold seems to think and speak like an adult. In general, I don't agree with Bowen's much praised portrayal of either child. All in all, a very worthwhile, often intense novel.
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