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The Portrait of a Lady (2 volumes) #2
The Portrait of a Lady , Volume 2
This classic large print title is printed in 16 point Tiresias font as recommended by the Royal National Institute for the Blind
369 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2012
73 people are currently reading
714 people want to read
About the author
Henry James
4,554 books3,938 followersHenry James was an American-British author. He is regarded as a key transitional figure between literary realism and literary modernism, and is considered by many to be among the greatest novelists in the English language. He was the son of Henry James Sr. and the brother of philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James.
He is best known for his novels dealing with the social and marital interplay between émigré Americans, the English, and continental Europeans, such as The Portrait of a Lady. His later works, such as The Ambassadors, The Wings of the Dove and The Golden Bowl were increasingly experimental. In describing the internal states of mind and social dynamics of his characters, James often wrote in a style in which ambiguous or contradictory motives and impressions were overlaid or juxtaposed in the discussion of a character's psyche. For their unique ambiguity, as well as for other aspects of their composition, his late works have been compared to Impressionist painting.
His novella The Turn of the Screw has garnered a reputation as the most analysed and ambiguous ghost story in the English language and remains his most widely adapted work in other media. He wrote other highly regarded ghost stories, such as "The Jolly Corner".
James published articles and books of criticism, travel, biography, autobiography, and plays. Born in the United States, James largely relocated to Europe as a young man, and eventually settled in England, becoming a British citizen in 1915, a year before his death. James was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1911, 1912, and 1916. Jorge Luis Borges said "I have visited some literatures of East and West; I have compiled an encyclopedic compendium of fantastic literature; I have translated Kafka, Melville, and Bloy; I know of no stranger work than that of Henry James."
He is best known for his novels dealing with the social and marital interplay between émigré Americans, the English, and continental Europeans, such as The Portrait of a Lady. His later works, such as The Ambassadors, The Wings of the Dove and The Golden Bowl were increasingly experimental. In describing the internal states of mind and social dynamics of his characters, James often wrote in a style in which ambiguous or contradictory motives and impressions were overlaid or juxtaposed in the discussion of a character's psyche. For their unique ambiguity, as well as for other aspects of their composition, his late works have been compared to Impressionist painting.
His novella The Turn of the Screw has garnered a reputation as the most analysed and ambiguous ghost story in the English language and remains his most widely adapted work in other media. He wrote other highly regarded ghost stories, such as "The Jolly Corner".
James published articles and books of criticism, travel, biography, autobiography, and plays. Born in the United States, James largely relocated to Europe as a young man, and eventually settled in England, becoming a British citizen in 1915, a year before his death. James was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1911, 1912, and 1916. Jorge Luis Borges said "I have visited some literatures of East and West; I have compiled an encyclopedic compendium of fantastic literature; I have translated Kafka, Melville, and Bloy; I know of no stranger work than that of Henry James."
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 3, 2019
While I didn't much care for Isabel Archer, I did like her cousin Ralph. Isabel's American admirer, Caspar Goodwood, was irritating - why couldn't he take no for an answer? - but no more so than her friend Henrietta Stackpole.
March 7, 2021
Lettori, eccomi con la recensione di “Ritratto di Signora” di Henry James
Seppur all’inizio ho trovato la prima parte del libro un po’ troppo lenta con poca azione ma tanta descrizione, la seconda parte del libro è stata decisamente molto meglio:scorrevole,coinvolgente e appassionante. È stata la parte che più mi ha colpita!
Tra le cose che mi sono piaciute di più di questo libro ci sono i personaggi in particolare la complessità del personaggio di Isabel Archer.
Ritratto di Signora è la storia di una donna americana che grazie a una zia si ritrova in Inghilterra. Henry James ci propone una protagonista complessa, in conflitto tra i suoi desideri e le sue scelte. A fine libro ho pensato a Isabel come a un personaggio simile a Madame Bovary o Anna Karenina. Una protagonista che fino all’ultimo si trova in crisi tra due aspetti della sua vita,fra due scelte.
Un altro aspetto molto importante del libro sono le metafore riguardanti la vita di Isabel. La storia è raccontata con estrema maestria dall’autore, con metafore che coinvolgono, che ti fanno percepire il dolore e la lotta interiore di questa protagonista. Henry James ci vuol far capire come seppur lottando per la libertà alcune scelte non siano il modo migliore con cui conquistarla.
Ci fa capire come la libertà non è soltanto un ideale, ma comporta delle scelte e queste comportano una responsabilità che possono portarti a una vita felice oppure piena di sofferenza.
Molto interessanti sono stati anche gli altri personaggi:
Sua zia, Mrs Touchett è indifferente,quasi insensibile alle difficoltà della nipote.
Suo cugino Ralph nonostante all’inizio la aiuta donandole una parte dell’eredità di suo padre alla fine è colui che la getta inconsapevolmente nelle braccia di Osmond.
Per non parlare poi di Madame Merle, colei che architetta tutto il rapporto tra i due fin dall’inizio per poter farsi che il suo amico Osmond possa ricavarne un buon profitto.
L’unico personaggio che mi è parso abbastanza sincero nei confronti di Isabel è stato Lord Waburton, anche se poi la sua figura sembri in realtà non cercare il vero amore quindi una compagna con cui condividere le gioie e i dolori della vita ma una donna trofeo, un americana da introdurre nell’aristocrazia inglese.
Mr Goodwood è invece il personaggio che non perde interesse in Isabel. Continua con insistenza e perseveranza a corteggiarla nonostante tutto e nonostante tutti seppur non avendo nulla da offrirle in cambio.
Per quanto riguarda Henrietta Stackpole credevo all’inizio del romanzo che fosse un’amica un po’ egocentrica, un po’ bacchettona, invece alla fine varie vicende me l’hanno fatta di rivalutare.
È un personaggio caratterialmente il contrario di Isabel che cerca in tutti modi di far ragionare la sua amica e di farla tornare in sé, di farle prendere le giuste decisioni, di non farsi prendere dal momento e che sa veramente cosa la sua amica vuole e non ciò che le sembra di volere.
Mi è piaciuto molto di questo personaggio il suo essere un po’ anticonformista e rivoluzionario una giornalista donna in una società inglese in cui ancora regnano le regole dell’aristocrazia, in un mondo in cui il massimo a cui una donna può aspirare è un buon partito se aristocratico e ricco ancor meglio.
Non condivido assolutamente il finale. Però seppur non gradito è un finale in linea con tutta la storia e la protagonista.
Libro super consigliato se siete in cerca di una storia coinvolgente, appassionante con protagonista non perfetta anzi piena di dubbi,di scelte sbagliate che vive perennemente in conflitto con se stessa, una storia scritta con grande maestria in cui anche una “semplice” descrizione di un paesaggio o di un personaggio ti fa percepire un determinato sentimento.
Se voglio leggere altro di questo autore? Certo che sì! Innamorata del suo stile è della peculiarità dei suoi personaggi.
Ho dato questo libro 4,5 🌟 perché ho trovato la prima parte lenta e c’ho messo un po’ a entrare nella storia. Però si è rifatto benissimo con il secondo volume, cioè la seconda parte dell’opera e in particolare nell’ultima parte del libro che mi ha conquistata.
Seppur all’inizio ho trovato la prima parte del libro un po’ troppo lenta con poca azione ma tanta descrizione, la seconda parte del libro è stata decisamente molto meglio:scorrevole,coinvolgente e appassionante. È stata la parte che più mi ha colpita!
Tra le cose che mi sono piaciute di più di questo libro ci sono i personaggi in particolare la complessità del personaggio di Isabel Archer.
Ritratto di Signora è la storia di una donna americana che grazie a una zia si ritrova in Inghilterra. Henry James ci propone una protagonista complessa, in conflitto tra i suoi desideri e le sue scelte. A fine libro ho pensato a Isabel come a un personaggio simile a Madame Bovary o Anna Karenina. Una protagonista che fino all’ultimo si trova in crisi tra due aspetti della sua vita,fra due scelte.
Un altro aspetto molto importante del libro sono le metafore riguardanti la vita di Isabel. La storia è raccontata con estrema maestria dall’autore, con metafore che coinvolgono, che ti fanno percepire il dolore e la lotta interiore di questa protagonista. Henry James ci vuol far capire come seppur lottando per la libertà alcune scelte non siano il modo migliore con cui conquistarla.
Ci fa capire come la libertà non è soltanto un ideale, ma comporta delle scelte e queste comportano una responsabilità che possono portarti a una vita felice oppure piena di sofferenza.
Molto interessanti sono stati anche gli altri personaggi:
Sua zia, Mrs Touchett è indifferente,quasi insensibile alle difficoltà della nipote.
Suo cugino Ralph nonostante all’inizio la aiuta donandole una parte dell’eredità di suo padre alla fine è colui che la getta inconsapevolmente nelle braccia di Osmond.
Per non parlare poi di Madame Merle, colei che architetta tutto il rapporto tra i due fin dall’inizio per poter farsi che il suo amico Osmond possa ricavarne un buon profitto.
L’unico personaggio che mi è parso abbastanza sincero nei confronti di Isabel è stato Lord Waburton, anche se poi la sua figura sembri in realtà non cercare il vero amore quindi una compagna con cui condividere le gioie e i dolori della vita ma una donna trofeo, un americana da introdurre nell’aristocrazia inglese.
Mr Goodwood è invece il personaggio che non perde interesse in Isabel. Continua con insistenza e perseveranza a corteggiarla nonostante tutto e nonostante tutti seppur non avendo nulla da offrirle in cambio.
Per quanto riguarda Henrietta Stackpole credevo all’inizio del romanzo che fosse un’amica un po’ egocentrica, un po’ bacchettona, invece alla fine varie vicende me l’hanno fatta di rivalutare.
È un personaggio caratterialmente il contrario di Isabel che cerca in tutti modi di far ragionare la sua amica e di farla tornare in sé, di farle prendere le giuste decisioni, di non farsi prendere dal momento e che sa veramente cosa la sua amica vuole e non ciò che le sembra di volere.
Mi è piaciuto molto di questo personaggio il suo essere un po’ anticonformista e rivoluzionario una giornalista donna in una società inglese in cui ancora regnano le regole dell’aristocrazia, in un mondo in cui il massimo a cui una donna può aspirare è un buon partito se aristocratico e ricco ancor meglio.
Non condivido assolutamente il finale. Però seppur non gradito è un finale in linea con tutta la storia e la protagonista.
Libro super consigliato se siete in cerca di una storia coinvolgente, appassionante con protagonista non perfetta anzi piena di dubbi,di scelte sbagliate che vive perennemente in conflitto con se stessa, una storia scritta con grande maestria in cui anche una “semplice” descrizione di un paesaggio o di un personaggio ti fa percepire un determinato sentimento.
Se voglio leggere altro di questo autore? Certo che sì! Innamorata del suo stile è della peculiarità dei suoi personaggi.
Ho dato questo libro 4,5 🌟 perché ho trovato la prima parte lenta e c’ho messo un po’ a entrare nella storia. Però si è rifatto benissimo con il secondo volume, cioè la seconda parte dell’opera e in particolare nell’ultima parte del libro che mi ha conquistata.
December 18, 2015
[Contains spoilers] I made several unsuccessful attempts to read this book, then listening to the recorded version gave me enough of an overview that I was able to enter into James' world. A review of Michael Gorra's book Portrait of a Novel renewed my interest in the book. One unanswered question I held in my mind as I read was why Isabel returned to Rome. I think I know now. I missed this in the audible version, but reading carefully brought forward the interview Isabel has with Pansy before she leaves for England. She promises Pansy she will return. I think she returns to honor that promise to her stepdaughter. She knows the sacrifice she is making. Returning to Pansy means returning to Osmond as well, and the suffering will be great, but the alternative of being possessed by the overpowering, smothering love of Casper Goodwood is not a desirable alternative to her. At least living in Rome will make it possible to see Pansy.
Read
May 31, 2020استكمالا للجزء الاول
مليت بعد اكتر من مائتين صفحة
و للاسف نهايتها كانت مفتوحه
هي ارتكبت كل الاخطاء و سعت اليها بنفس راضية
مليت بعد اكتر من مائتين صفحة
و للاسف نهايتها كانت مفتوحه
هي ارتكبت كل الاخطاء و سعت اليها بنفس راضية
November 2, 2020
Decisamente troppi refusi
June 26, 2021
Quite tiresome
January 31, 2025
This is certainly a bit pacier than the first volume, which is why I liked it better. There's a lot more to fit in here, though - I get the feeling, to be honest, that the first half was mainly set-up.
In a nutshell: I hate to say it, Isabel, but it does take you a long time to catch on. Perhaps you are simply a significantly less suspicious person than I am, but I clocked the relationships here much earlier than you did. You don't know how tempted I am to say "You've only yourself to blame" because it's not like you weren't warned about your deeply unpleasant husband by multiple different people, but I try to remember that you were very young when you agreed to marry him, and far more sheltered than the women of today. Since the scales have fallen off your eyes, however, I am inclined, as you age, to be less sympathetic. I feel more sorry for Pansy than you, and despite the open ending I unhappily believe that you will return to your husband and do very little other than sink into misery, all the while telling yourself it makes you a paragon. Oh well, on your own head be it.
In a nutshell: I hate to say it, Isabel, but it does take you a long time to catch on. Perhaps you are simply a significantly less suspicious person than I am, but I clocked the relationships here much earlier than you did. You don't know how tempted I am to say "You've only yourself to blame" because it's not like you weren't warned about your deeply unpleasant husband by multiple different people, but I try to remember that you were very young when you agreed to marry him, and far more sheltered than the women of today. Since the scales have fallen off your eyes, however, I am inclined, as you age, to be less sympathetic. I feel more sorry for Pansy than you, and despite the open ending I unhappily believe that you will return to your husband and do very little other than sink into misery, all the while telling yourself it makes you a paragon. Oh well, on your own head be it.
June 24, 2025
Si potesse dare zero darei volentieri zero. Sicuramente lo stile di scritture è molto bello, ma nella vita lo ricorderò come il peggior libro che ho letto nei miei primi 30 anni di vita
December 11, 2025
Per carità. Capisco quanto possa essere stato incredibile al tempo, soprattutto per l’introspezione, ma con molte meno pagine sarebbe uscito qualcosa di più decente
August 20, 2024
Esta segunda parte es donde la historia va en declive por completo, el personaje de Isabel peca de ingenua y toda su historia y el interés que había despertado en la primera parte se esfuma por completo. A excepción de algunos destellos de la Isabel que nos mostró el autor al principio, la historia de la segunda parte está llena de pequeñas historias incompletas que nunca llevan a nada en concreto.
Justo por esta falta de historia es que la narración se siente osada y tediosa. Párrafos de páginas enteras que parecían interminables, lo que hacía que quisiera abandonar la lectura.
Justo por esta falta de historia es que la narración se siente osada y tediosa. Párrafos de páginas enteras que parecían interminables, lo que hacía que quisiera abandonar la lectura.
June 19, 2024
Ritratto di signora- Henry James
Quanto sono belli i classici?
In questo romanzo si segue la storia di una ragazza americana, Isabel Archer, la cui vita subisce un enorme cambiamento dopo l'incontro con la zia che la porta in Europa e la introduce alla sua famiglia, da cui riceverà una consistente eredità che invece di rappresentare un'opportunità diverrà concausa della sua rovina.
Ho adorato che i personaggi vengano approfonditi moltissimo da un punto di vista psicologico, ci sono pagine e pagine di monologhi interiori che delineano in maniera molto accurata e soddisfacente le loro personalità.
Il vero personaggio femminile forte, indipendente, coerente e positivo è Henrietta.
Il mio personaggio preferito è stato Ralph con la sua estrema generosità, che dimostra cosa dovrebbe significare veramente amare qualcuno.
Un libro bellissimo, interessante, coinvolgente che mi ha accompagnato fino alle 4.30 di stanotte visto che non riuscivo a dormire.
Mi ha fatto sognare, ridere di gusto, arrabbiare, commuovere, per fortuna ho in libreria diversi altri suoi libri da leggere 🤩
❗️INIZIO SPOILER❗️
Isabel viene presentata come una ragazza molto intelligente, acuta, indipendente e desiderosa di essere l'unica artefice del proprio destino, che rifiuta la mano di molteplici ottimi e generosi pretendenti in nome della propria libertà personale per poi dimostrare tutto il contrario con le scelte di vita che la porteranno alla (meritata?) catastrofe.
Come può una donna che dichiara di essere intelligente, forte e indipendente innamorarsi di un estremo conservatore anaffettivo che vede le donne come oggetti votati all'obbedienza che devono cancellare la loro personalità per divenire un'estensione del pensiero del marito?
La scusa dell'accecamento dovuto agli occhi da innamorata non regge con la profonda descrizione psicologica che ne viene fatta in quanto già prima del matrimonio c'erano molti elementi che una donna veramente intelligente avrebbe colto.
All'inizio del libro ho pensato che finalmente avrei letto la storia di una donna forte che sovvertiva le convenzioni sociali in favore dei propri diritti mettendo in secondo piano le apparenze ed invece si è dimostrata la solita donna debole che si sottomette al marito, si annulla per lui, che si fa ingannare da un cacciatore di dote, che rifiuta le molteplici vie d'uscita fornite da chi le vuole bene per mantenere una forma fasulla che nasconde una vita infelice e solitaria.
❗️FINE SPOILER❗️
Quanto sono belli i classici?
In questo romanzo si segue la storia di una ragazza americana, Isabel Archer, la cui vita subisce un enorme cambiamento dopo l'incontro con la zia che la porta in Europa e la introduce alla sua famiglia, da cui riceverà una consistente eredità che invece di rappresentare un'opportunità diverrà concausa della sua rovina.
Ho adorato che i personaggi vengano approfonditi moltissimo da un punto di vista psicologico, ci sono pagine e pagine di monologhi interiori che delineano in maniera molto accurata e soddisfacente le loro personalità.
Il vero personaggio femminile forte, indipendente, coerente e positivo è Henrietta.
Il mio personaggio preferito è stato Ralph con la sua estrema generosità, che dimostra cosa dovrebbe significare veramente amare qualcuno.
Un libro bellissimo, interessante, coinvolgente che mi ha accompagnato fino alle 4.30 di stanotte visto che non riuscivo a dormire.
Mi ha fatto sognare, ridere di gusto, arrabbiare, commuovere, per fortuna ho in libreria diversi altri suoi libri da leggere 🤩
❗️INIZIO SPOILER❗️
Isabel viene presentata come una ragazza molto intelligente, acuta, indipendente e desiderosa di essere l'unica artefice del proprio destino, che rifiuta la mano di molteplici ottimi e generosi pretendenti in nome della propria libertà personale per poi dimostrare tutto il contrario con le scelte di vita che la porteranno alla (meritata?) catastrofe.
Come può una donna che dichiara di essere intelligente, forte e indipendente innamorarsi di un estremo conservatore anaffettivo che vede le donne come oggetti votati all'obbedienza che devono cancellare la loro personalità per divenire un'estensione del pensiero del marito?
La scusa dell'accecamento dovuto agli occhi da innamorata non regge con la profonda descrizione psicologica che ne viene fatta in quanto già prima del matrimonio c'erano molti elementi che una donna veramente intelligente avrebbe colto.
All'inizio del libro ho pensato che finalmente avrei letto la storia di una donna forte che sovvertiva le convenzioni sociali in favore dei propri diritti mettendo in secondo piano le apparenze ed invece si è dimostrata la solita donna debole che si sottomette al marito, si annulla per lui, che si fa ingannare da un cacciatore di dote, che rifiuta le molteplici vie d'uscita fornite da chi le vuole bene per mantenere una forma fasulla che nasconde una vita infelice e solitaria.
❗️FINE SPOILER❗️
July 3, 2023
"You're completely changed. You conceal everything; I haven't really come near you.'
'You come very near,' Isabel said gently, but in a tone of warning.
'And yet I don't touch you! I want to know the truth. Have you done well?'
'You ask a great deal.'
'Yes - I've always asked a great deal. Of course you won't tell me. I shall never know if you can help it. And then it's none of my business.' He had spoken with a visible effort to control himself, to give a considerate form to an inconsiderate state of mind. ... 'Why do you want me to leave the place? You must have some reason for that; if you were so contented as you pretend you are you wouldn't care. I'd rather the truth about you, even if it's damnable, than have come here for nothing. That isn't what I came for. I thought I shouldn't care. I came because I wanted to assure myself that I needn't think of you anymore. I haven't thought of anything else, and you're quite right to wish me to go away. ... When I tell you I love you it's simply what I came for. I thought it was for something else; but it was for that. I shouldn't say it if I didn't believe I should never see you again. It's the last time - let me pluck a single flower! I've no right to say that, I know; and you've no right to listen. But you don't listen; you never listen, you're always thinking of something else. After this I must go, of course; so I shall at least have a reason. Your asking me is no reason, not a real one. I can't judge by your husband,' he went on irrelevantly, almost incoherently; 'I don't understand him; he tells me you adore each other. Why does he tell me that? What business is it of mine? When I say that to you, you look strange. But you always look strange. Yes, you've something to hide. It's none of my business - very true. But I love you,' said Caspar Goodwood.
As he said, she looked strange. She turned her eyes to the door by which they had entered and raised her fan as if in warning.
'You've behaved so well; don't spoil it,' she uttered softly.
...
'You can't help it - of course not. You would if you could, but you can't, unfortunately. Unfortunetaly for me, I mean. I ask nothing - nothing, that is, I shouldn't. But I do ask one sole satisfaction: - that you tell me - that you tell me -!'
'That I tell you what?'"
'You come very near,' Isabel said gently, but in a tone of warning.
'And yet I don't touch you! I want to know the truth. Have you done well?'
'You ask a great deal.'
'Yes - I've always asked a great deal. Of course you won't tell me. I shall never know if you can help it. And then it's none of my business.' He had spoken with a visible effort to control himself, to give a considerate form to an inconsiderate state of mind. ... 'Why do you want me to leave the place? You must have some reason for that; if you were so contented as you pretend you are you wouldn't care. I'd rather the truth about you, even if it's damnable, than have come here for nothing. That isn't what I came for. I thought I shouldn't care. I came because I wanted to assure myself that I needn't think of you anymore. I haven't thought of anything else, and you're quite right to wish me to go away. ... When I tell you I love you it's simply what I came for. I thought it was for something else; but it was for that. I shouldn't say it if I didn't believe I should never see you again. It's the last time - let me pluck a single flower! I've no right to say that, I know; and you've no right to listen. But you don't listen; you never listen, you're always thinking of something else. After this I must go, of course; so I shall at least have a reason. Your asking me is no reason, not a real one. I can't judge by your husband,' he went on irrelevantly, almost incoherently; 'I don't understand him; he tells me you adore each other. Why does he tell me that? What business is it of mine? When I say that to you, you look strange. But you always look strange. Yes, you've something to hide. It's none of my business - very true. But I love you,' said Caspar Goodwood.
As he said, she looked strange. She turned her eyes to the door by which they had entered and raised her fan as if in warning.
'You've behaved so well; don't spoil it,' she uttered softly.
...
'You can't help it - of course not. You would if you could, but you can't, unfortunately. Unfortunetaly for me, I mean. I ask nothing - nothing, that is, I shouldn't. But I do ask one sole satisfaction: - that you tell me - that you tell me -!'
'That I tell you what?'"
January 24, 2021
This review is only on Volume 2 of The Portrait of a Lady. In the 2nd Volume, Madame Merle played her part as matchmaker and Isabel was to marry Mr. Osmond and become step-mother to his sweet daughter Pansy. One of Isabel's previous marriage proposals, Lord Warburton, took a liking to Miss Pansy and began to court the young girl. However, it was clearly evident that this courtship was to only be in closer contact to Isabel as he still loved her so. Ralph Touchett, Isabel's cousin, finally declared his love for Isabel, but yet again she was married to Mr. Osmond. Her life completely changes, she is miserable in her marriage yet she stays on out of duty. It is then discovered, that Madame Merle is actually Ms. Pansy's mother whom has had an on/off affair with Mr. Osmond. But because Madame Merle and Mr. Osmond were both so poor, they devised a plan for Mr. Osmond to marry Isabel for her money. Isabel's cousin Ralph, is on his death bed, when Isabel defies her husband and goes to visit Ralph, she too professes her love for Ralph. He passes, but before he passes, he met with Isabel's other marriage proposal and asks him to watch out for Isabel and keep her safe. Mr. Goodwood pleads with Isabel to let him protect her and she ends up going home to Rome and her husband Mr. Osmond whom she loathes. The End.
I want more and don't want the story to end. I want Isabel to find happiness, leave her husband, take Pansy with her, have a life of worldwide travels, and truly find love again.
I want more and don't want the story to end. I want Isabel to find happiness, leave her husband, take Pansy with her, have a life of worldwide travels, and truly find love again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2024
الرواية تختبر قدرتك على الصبر والقراءة المتأنية واحتمال الحوارات الحلزونية والاستطرادات والتكرار على مدى ستمائة صفحة.
هذا إن أردتَ أن تلم بعالم هنري جميس (توفي ١٩١٦م) الروائي الإنجليزي الأمريكي الذي كان التقاء الثقافتين وتصادمهما شديد الحضور في رواياته.
هذه الرواية انعكاس للحياة الاجتماعية في بريطانيا وأمريكا أواخر القرن التاسع عشر، فأبطالها يمثلون المرحلة ما بين الأرستقراطية المتعجرفة والتمرد عليها، كذلك ظهر عنصر البحث عن شخصية جديدة لدى النساء خاصة ومراوحتهن بين التمسك بالتقاليد وبين البحث عن الحريات الشخصية في العلاقات والزواج والسفر والعمل.
الرواية تكاد تدور حول إيزابيل وبحثها عن الذات. إذ ترفض الزواج من ثلاثة عشاق يطاردونها إلى أن ترضى بالرابع بعد محاولات في تأكيد استقلاليتها وحريتها وتفضيلها اكتشاف العالم والحياة بعيداً عن مؤسسة الزواج.
ازداد شعورها بالدعم والاستقلال المالي بعد حصولها على إرث من أحد الأقرباء، وهذا أعانها على استشعار الحرية من خلال السفر والاكتشاف.
دخولها بعد الزواج في حياة مهادنة إلى أن تكتشف سراً مروعاً يخص زوجها.
كان حضور المكان سمة بارزة، اذ كثرت تنقلات الأبطال بين أميركا ولندن وروما وغيرها من المدن الأوروبية. كذلك برزت الخلفية الثقافية للعصر فيما يخص هذه الطبقة الإجتماعية، مثل حفلات الرقص ودعوات الصالونات والتباهي بالمقتنيات الثمينة من لوحات وآثار وعقار … الخ.
كثرت الحوارات كثرة مفرطة، مما يجعل الرواية أكثر شبهاً بالمسرحية، او أصلح للتحويل إلى فيلم، وهذا ما كان، إذ تحولت إلى عمل سينمائي بنفس العنوان عام ١٩٩٦م قامت ببطولته نيكول كيدمان ونال العديد من الجوائز.
هذا إن أردتَ أن تلم بعالم هنري جميس (توفي ١٩١٦م) الروائي الإنجليزي الأمريكي الذي كان التقاء الثقافتين وتصادمهما شديد الحضور في رواياته.
هذه الرواية انعكاس للحياة الاجتماعية في بريطانيا وأمريكا أواخر القرن التاسع عشر، فأبطالها يمثلون المرحلة ما بين الأرستقراطية المتعجرفة والتمرد عليها، كذلك ظهر عنصر البحث عن شخصية جديدة لدى النساء خاصة ومراوحتهن بين التمسك بالتقاليد وبين البحث عن الحريات الشخصية في العلاقات والزواج والسفر والعمل.
الرواية تكاد تدور حول إيزابيل وبحثها عن الذات. إذ ترفض الزواج من ثلاثة عشاق يطاردونها إلى أن ترضى بالرابع بعد محاولات في تأكيد استقلاليتها وحريتها وتفضيلها اكتشاف العالم والحياة بعيداً عن مؤسسة الزواج.
ازداد شعورها بالدعم والاستقلال المالي بعد حصولها على إرث من أحد الأقرباء، وهذا أعانها على استشعار الحرية من خلال السفر والاكتشاف.
دخولها بعد الزواج في حياة مهادنة إلى أن تكتشف سراً مروعاً يخص زوجها.
كان حضور المكان سمة بارزة، اذ كثرت تنقلات الأبطال بين أميركا ولندن وروما وغيرها من المدن الأوروبية. كذلك برزت الخلفية الثقافية للعصر فيما يخص هذه الطبقة الإجتماعية، مثل حفلات الرقص ودعوات الصالونات والتباهي بالمقتنيات الثمينة من لوحات وآثار وعقار … الخ.
كثرت الحوارات كثرة مفرطة، مما يجعل الرواية أكثر شبهاً بالمسرحية، او أصلح للتحويل إلى فيلم، وهذا ما كان، إذ تحولت إلى عمل سينمائي بنفس العنوان عام ١٩٩٦م قامت ببطولته نيكول كيدمان ونال العديد من الجوائز.
September 8, 2013
This book has one of the worst endings of all the books I've ever read--ever. It's not that the ending is disappointing or that I disagree with the characters' decisions; these things do not necessarily make for a bad ending. It's that the ending just sort of fizzled out. It's as if Henry James looked at his work and thought to himself, "Well this sure is a long book--I'm getting a bit bored with it," then left his readers out to dry. I love lengthy tomes, but a lengthy tome calls for an appropriately satisfying ending otherwise I end up wondering why I invested so much time in a book. Read Portrait of a Lady for the wonderful witty dialogue and the well-written character descriptions, but don't read it if you want to be satisfied in the least with the final outcome of it all.
May 11, 2016
Not at all what I was expecting. The first Vol set the scene about the lady and her friends and family and potential husbands but the second shows what she does with her life. Probably a more true to life novel about a woman than others I have read from the era. I mean, the girl marries the wrong guy and eventually realizes, so then what should she do?
This was boring in parts. It went on and on about the relationship, why it was wrong, where it was wrong, whose fault it may have been ... I was sick of it and just wanted it over. I guess that could have been the point - they were both trapped in a bad marriage after all
This was boring in parts. It went on and on about the relationship, why it was wrong, where it was wrong, whose fault it may have been ... I was sick of it and just wanted it over. I guess that could have been the point - they were both trapped in a bad marriage after all
March 11, 2019
Sadness and despair
I loved/ hated this book. I loved her at the begging when she was young, fresh, opinionated, and felt comfortable turning down proposals. But after she was married, the worsening sense of of imprisonments, verbal cruelty, betrayal, and despair almost made it too hard to finish, but I couldn’t stop. I was as locked into her marriage as she was. I gave this book five stars because there were no flat characters. Five stars because I couldn’t put it down. Five stars because the writing was clear, elegant, without being overwhelmingly descriptive in ways that would slow the story. This is a perfect novel despite being an upsetting one.
I loved/ hated this book. I loved her at the begging when she was young, fresh, opinionated, and felt comfortable turning down proposals. But after she was married, the worsening sense of of imprisonments, verbal cruelty, betrayal, and despair almost made it too hard to finish, but I couldn’t stop. I was as locked into her marriage as she was. I gave this book five stars because there were no flat characters. Five stars because I couldn’t put it down. Five stars because the writing was clear, elegant, without being overwhelmingly descriptive in ways that would slow the story. This is a perfect novel despite being an upsetting one.
April 25, 2015
5 stele e un pic mai mult, dar i le acord fiindcă limbajul, jocurile personajelor și modul cum toate elementele lumii respective sunt redate armonios, cel puțin pe mine, m-au făcut uneori să-mi doresc să fi văzut cum era pe vremea respectivă...
Dialogurile sunt unele atent scrise, frumoase, deosebite, inteligente.
Chiar dacă-i lungă, mereu m-a tot făcut să mă întreb... „Bine, bine și ce se întâmplă până la urmă?”
Ceea ce e de apreciat, la o carte, dacă-mi lasă asemenea impresie, constant.
Dialogurile sunt unele atent scrise, frumoase, deosebite, inteligente.
Chiar dacă-i lungă, mereu m-a tot făcut să mă întreb... „Bine, bine și ce se întâmplă până la urmă?”
Ceea ce e de apreciat, la o carte, dacă-mi lasă asemenea impresie, constant.
April 15, 2017
Emotional and tragic, sometimes hard to follow. The hideous treachery of M Merle and Gilbert Osmond offers a fascinating study in the most selfish kinds of people. James' poetic expression of Isabel's feelings, his acute observations of the social milieu in Europe, and the ways in which they treat each other, particularly poor Pansy, is remarkable.
December 9, 2011
I didn't like the second volume as well as the first, mostly because of how it ends. Still, it was a compelling read.
March 3, 2013
The second volume is less exciting than the first one. But the exposure of Madame Merle is a highlight. By contrast, the end is very disapointing.
October 18, 2015
This classic is known as one of James's more accessible novels. The details are dense but the story is very engaging.
July 7, 2020
Super intriguing book that encapsulates a lot of very interesting themes
December 10, 2021
Non voler essere troppo buona. Sii più alla mano, più naturale e più cattiva; sentiti un po' malvagia, per il bene di tutti, una volta nella vita!
August 12, 2023
"el dolor no es lo más profundo, hay algo que lo es aún más"
June 8, 2024
What a fantastic ending. Oh my heart can barely take it!
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