The Princess Casamassima


Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)

(4.4 stars; 43 reviews)

Princess Casamassima can be read on several levels: first, as a political and social novel, exploring the anarchistic and revolutionary underground of London in the 1880s; secondly as a psychological study of such a movement on a young man (the protagonist, Hyacinth Robinson) who may or may not be descended from the aristocracy, but whose artistic nature shines out in the midst of the London slums; and thirdly, as an examination of the conundrum whether the world of art and culture is necessarily built on the abject poverty of others. The Princess herself started as the beautiful and intelligent American Christina Light in James’s Roderick Hudson but has now come to London to escape the Neapolitan prince to whom she is unhappily married. Yet she and Robinson are only two of a larger set of characters whose commitment to an imagined revolutionary cause may be sincere or many be questionable. As is usual with Henry James, readers will have to make their own judgements. (Nicholas Clifford) (21 hr 34 min)

Chapitres

Book First Chapter 01 28:26 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book First Chapter 02 30:50 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book First Chapter 03 30:22 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book First Chapter 04 28:57 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book First Chapter 05 31:15 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book First Chapter 06 21:36 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book First Chapter 07 27:10 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book First Chapter 08 24:18 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book First Chapter 09 24:26 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book First Chapter 10 22:52 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book First Chapter 11 30:29 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Second Chapter 12 31:47 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Second Chapter 13 36:45 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Second Chapter 14 26:45 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Second Chapter 15 42:38 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Second Chapter 16 27:02 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Second Chapter 17 29:10 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Second Chapter 18 14:51 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Second Chapter 19 16:37 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Second Chapter 20 31:03 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Second Chapter 21 42:52 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Third Chapter 22 40:33 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Third Chapter 23 28:11 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Third Chapter 24 30:03 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Third Chapter 25 23:07 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Third Chapter 26 14:58 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Third Chapter 27 26:18 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Third Chapter 28 26:52 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fourth Chapter 29 25:30 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fourth Chapter 30 22:49 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fourth Chapter 31 19:58 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fourth Chapter 32 26:06 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fourth Chapter 33 24:03 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fourth Chapter 34 20:43 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fourth Chapter 35 28:47 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fourth Chapter 36 22:18 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fourth Chapter 37 32:06 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fifth Chapter 38 40:44 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fifth Chapter 39 37:42 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fifth Chapter 40 36:28 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fifth Chapter 41 35:36 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fifth Chapter 42 17:50 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fifth Chapter 43 19:52 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fifth Chapter 44 32:12 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fifth Chapter 45 22:14 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fifth Chapter 46 16:27 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)
Book Fifth Chapter 47 22:42 Lu par Nicholas Clifford (1930-2019)

Critiques


(5 stars)

Great reader and book. I understand why some reviewers dissed the book—you have to be able to handle Henry James—but actually this one is simpler and more explicit than most of his novels.


(4 stars)

Not so out of date as one would assume. The same class struggles and personal assumptions about the end of civilization apply right now!

Huh?


(2 stars)

brilliant read...thank you.. What flight of insanity is this long, stultifying novel from James?

Great book, great reader


(5 stars)

Thank you very much indeed

Ruined by...


(5 stars)

...a review from another website! I was enjoying this book and reached chapter 8 when I ran across several reviews of this book. One of the reviewers gave away the ending without a spoiler alert. I just can’t stay engrossed knowing what is to come. Such a shame!

one of James’s most accessible novels


(5 stars)

an I loved every moment being in James’World!' Of course, Professor Clifford is the perfect narrator and was made to narrate the great Henry James. You are very missed Professor Clifford and thank you for sharing the greatest gift that of knowledge ❤️

Stars for the reader only.


(3 stars)

I do not understand this story: why it's title, when it's really about Hyacinth? Why did he do what he did in the end? The reader is excellent, of course, but the story itself confuses me.

unusual and strange book, with inexplicable actions os some characters


(3.5 stars)