My Thoughts on "The Spoils of Poynton" by Henry James as Published by Penguin Classics.

I finished reading "Spoils of Poynton" written by Henry James as published by Penguin Classics (shown) at the end of November. It took only 4 days to read. It is a rather short book. It takes place outside of London in the late 1800s. In that little town is a mother (a recent widow) who collects things, antique things and the house is filled with a smattering of delightful things she has spent a lifetime collecting. The conflict brews when her only son takes on a fiance. However, the mother prefers he marry another young lady friend of hers who more appreciates the "things." And so you can see the conflict brewing as mom tries to influence the outcome of the proposed wedding and the more appropriate match for the son. Her behaviors are controlled by the "things" together with lacks of understanding of her son and prospective daughter-in-law and the preferred match. If you like or have experienced that type of drama in your life you will like this book. The psychology of the lady who the mom preferred as she got herself interjected to act as a mediary between mother and son was an interesting part of the book. It was an ethical dilemna she was in that the mother could not understand. I would be curious to know on whose side you (reader) would have fallen if you had read the book. Also what were the true thoughts or motives of the son's fiance? They were very interesting dynamics in the book regarding this which I'm sure different people will think of in their own way based upon their experiences. Regardless, the idea of "things" coming in between relationships to me just seems odious at its root. The story also touches upon the consequences of misreading signals or mixed-signals.

It was an enjoyable read. People sometimes are too attached to "things" aren't they?

Questions for Thought: