The Portrait of a Lady

by Janet McAlpin (Adapted By), Henry James

[Penguin Readers Level 3]

When Isabel Archer, a young American woman with looks, wit, and imagination, arrives in Europe, she sees the world as `a place of brightness, of free expression, of irresistible action'. She turns aside from suitors who offer her their wealth and devotion to follow her own path. But that way leads to disillusionment and a future as constricted as `a dark narrow alley with a dead wall at the end'. In a conclusion that is one of the most moving in modern fiction, Isabel makes her final choice. The Portrait of a Lady is the masterpiece of James's middle period, and Isabel is perhaps his most engaging central character. This edition provides a challenging new introduction and detailed notes; the text is that of the New York Edition and includes Henry James's own Preface.

Genres: Classics

Paperback

First published January 1, 1881

Reviews

[Pamela]

"It is more important to read between the lines than to follow the text." H. James.

Never have truer words been written about the scenes with Mme. Merle.

[Elizabeth]

I borrowed this book from the library in Woodbury, Connecticut. Had to return it before I finished, but was enjoying it quite a lot, so I ordered my own copy through Amazon. Unfortunately, the Corona Virus debacle has finally hit our small corner of the world, but I am hopeful the book will arrive next week despite the pandemic.

[Elizabeth]

The original beach-book