Classical Gas-Henry James's THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY: RGBIB 429

[@samferguson9171]

Every time someone equates a love of the arts with moral decency (it happens a lot in today’s politics), I think of the wicked aesthete Gilbert Osmond. What a weird, funny, decidedly 19th-century villain.

[@Scottmbradfield]

Interesting... yeah he was a weird villain, since I didn't get he was a villain for ages! I do hate morally decent art, it is a waste of time in the bathtub! s

[@larrycarr4562]

Got my party hat 🥳 and warm water in the tub 🛁… it’s going to be bathtacular! 🤩

[@Scottmbradfield]

It's gonna be bathtabulous! s

[@larrycarr4562]

@@Scottmbradfield 🛁👍🥳

[@bjwnashe5589]

When people talk about “the great American novel(s),” I think this one belongs in the conversation. But you are correct, one has to be in the right mood for a Henry James novel.

[@valpergalit]

Funny that you mentioned Novik’s biography, because I recently read an essay by William H. Gass lambasting it. Guess I’ll have to try it out for myself!

[@Scottmbradfield]

Well that sort of clinches it, I'm not really a fan of Gass's criticism so Novick must be pretty good! s

[@redfordgrange3507]

The Spoils of Poynton - so indirect that it inspired an essay called, “What *are* the Spoils of Poynton?”

[@willsteven700]

Henry James, a writer I’ve heard so many differing opinions on. Some people think he’s the most boring writer ever, others think he wrote the best sentences ever. I’ve been meaning to try him sometime to come to my own conclusion.

[@Scottmbradfield]

Hey Will. PORTRAIT is a good place to start, and make up your mind in your own damn bathtub! Come to the 5000th Bathtacular! s

[@larrycarr4562]

Glad you enjoyed it, as described too many books to read -too little time…

[@timmclain375]

Have a serious love/hate with James. Love some of the shorter stuff - Washington Square, Aspern Papers, Daisy Miller, Turn of the Screw, What Maisie Knew. And maybe hate's too strong a word but Wings of the Dove, Ambassadors, Sacred Fount, and Spoils of Poynton really beat me up. My wife read Portrait of a Lady in college and it ramains a favorite of hers. You've now convinced me to give it shot.

[@Scottmbradfield]

PORTRAIT did almost make me want to read late James, but then I took a shower and got over it! s

[@tbwatch88]

well, scott, maybe you'll come round to Jamesland now! for me, he's right below Nabokov on my shelves and that's on account of The Ambassadors, The Wings of the Dove, The Golden Bowl, The American (please tell me you've read that one!), and Roderick Hudson are BRILLIANT beyond--plus so so many of the tales. p.s. that is a lovely old orangey Penguin. rock on, Dr B!

[@Scottmbradfield]

@@tbwatch88 I don’t know that there are enough years left in me to become very enamored of James, but I do want to read more of those late novels, and finish the Novick bio…

[@bluewordsme2]

i remember where i was when a) Tiananmen Square, b) fall of berlin wall, c) fall of saigon (i was 9 and leaving taiwan for america), d) Mike Schmidt 4 homeruns in Wrigley Field ; e) moon landing and now f) BATHING BUDDIES hit 5K....super stoked.....btw, LOVE LOVE Stevenson, especially Treasure Island...and Kidnapped....but my comment disappeared.....i didnt like portrait of lady...hahahahaha....i preferred the Ghost Screws everyone hahahah, of the Turning of the Ghost...or, whatever :) hahahah...I prefer conon doyle for 19th century prose hahaha...and can we bob for apples on the 5k bathing party?...keep safe SB....p.s. Lucky looks fabulous....i have a special cocktail set for the 5kk...

[@Scottmbradfield]

My wife was at Tiananmen maybe you guys passed in the night (not demonstrating, but walking to her job at a hospital.) I loved the Gluck and decided to do a series of poetry "corners" credited to you, next episode! But please don't send me any more books give them to your wife and son instead! Poetry Corner impending! s

[@bluewordsme2]

Fabulous. We might well just have passed. Insane, frightening month. So happy to hear you enjoyed Gluck! She was one of my heroes. …do not worry, I won’t send any more books. My son gets books monthly from me, my wife only buys her own. lol. Cantvv be wait to watch the Poetry Corner. To paraphrase Zooey Glass, poetry goes well in the tub. Looking forward to the 5K Gala! 🎉🍷🍷🙏,

[@Scottmbradfield]

@@bluewordsme2 I can't remember if I told you, but I've long enjoyed Gluck and Doty (I reviewed Doty's book on Whitman a while back) and was surprised I didn't have either of those books you sent, or the third by a poet I don't know but will schedule for a future poetry corner... yeah, we may avoid another Trump Admin but I'll believe it when I see the back of that a hole... more poetry soon... s

[@larrycarr4562]

@@Scottmbradfield when you see his backside… give it the 🥾 boot !

[@bluewordsme2]

@@larrycarr4562 exactly Larry