“ sometimes an actress, an artist, a great performer—but only when they’re not monsters ”
 Henry James, The Ambassadors (1903). copy citation

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Author Henry James
Source The Ambassadors
Topic monster artist
Date 1903
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/432/432-h/432-h.htm

Context

“There are always artists—he’s beautiful and inimitable to the cher confrère; and then gros bonnets of many kinds—ambassadors, cabinet ministers, bankers, generals, what do I know? even Jews. Above all always some awfully nice women—and not too many; sometimes an actress, an artist, a great performer—but only when they’re not monsters; and in particular the right femmes du monde. You can fancy his history on that side—I believe it’s fabulous: they never give him up. Yet he keeps them down: no one knows how he manages; it’s too beautiful and bland.” source