Reviews

The Beast In The Jungle by Henry James

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dukegregory's review against another edition

A really astounding novella. The psychological density on display moves like streams. So much loneliness. The present presents the collision of the fear of the past, of time neglected, and the fear of the future, of time to be neglected. So much of this felt rather gay, like a beard relationship, although the final paragraph points to something more heteronormative. But that could also be read as a continued anxiety about gay life, the necessity of assimilation.

Go in as blind as possible! It's lovely. Henry James' winding sentences are pearls on a thread.

meganmcbride's review

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challenging dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

helgamharb's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5

He saw the Jungle of his life and saw the lurking Beast.

This is the story of one man’s obsession with fate and destiny; of his allowing this sense of foreboding, the conviction of something terrible coming his way, to haunt him like a beast of the jungle.
He lives with this apprehension day in day out, waiting for the imminent catastrophe; waiting for the beast to jump out from his hiding place.

The Beast in the Jungle is a story about loneliness, love, meaning of life, loss and death.

What had the man had, to make him by the loss of it so bleed and yet live?

jenoke's review

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

b0okcupidity's review against another edition

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5.0

A favorite of Sylvia Plath and part of my journey into her life and poetry.
A story of love and loss and living lest you be Marcher and lose without the living.