'The Awkward Age' is decidely awkward to read

Having just completed Book I (page 80), it seems to me that this is as difficult as any of the late James novels I've read. The dialogue, the social chit-chat, is going over my head as never before. Usually in the late James novels, dialogue is easier going than the narrative, but not here. My last read, What Maisie Knew, was a dream next to this. However, The Ambassadors, written a little later was also exceptionally difficult to get into.

Even working out the relationship between Aggie and Nanda, who are sister and brother, and the place of all these young women is beyond me. And as for conversations between the Duchess and Mr Mitchett! Still, I have given up on a James' yet, so I'll hang in hoping.