If you could get a sequel for any book, what would it be?
Right now? Portrait of a Lady by Henry James, for three reasons.
- I enjoyed the book and would love to be able to re-enter its world.
- James created a character that I like, then closed the novel with an ambiguous ending. I want to know if Isabella leaves Gilbert! And for that matter, what happens to poor Pansy?
- Since no sequel exists, for one to suddenly appear would require one of two things: either a dead author would need to come back to life; or he would need to otherwise project his consciousness into physical reality. And either scenario would have quite intriguing metaphysical implications :-D
I’ve never read Portrait of a Lady. I tried reading Washington Square, and gave up, because I hated all the characters passionately.
The story of how a sequel came to be written by a deceased author would be a great story all its own, though!
Did you really! Now I’ll have to take a peek at it WS again to see if I liked them . . .
The heroine of Portrait I totally got. She’s flawed in ways that are surprisingly 21st century — she overestimates her ability to think her way through life and so makes a terrible marriage.
Love reason #3! Could be interesting ;)
Here’s my BTT – House Millar series
Aine
The other great James, M. R. James, might manage it, though :-)
But then again, I don’t like sequels.
@Anthony “Tell me why!”
I prefer a good stand alone book, to sequels. I think it is difficult to follow a good book with a good sequel. I try reading some books that are series, but I soon tire of them, it seems they just repeat the same stories, but with different names of the characters.
Oh, I need to check this book out! It sounds great, judging by the title it’s exactly what I would call my cup of tea ;-)
And hell yeah, I’m in! Let’s start a petition :-)
@Vicky I have a soft spot for 19th century novels . . .
I would probably like this book.
http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/2011/10/booking-through-thursday_13.html