Old Books, New Readers discussion

The winner of the July 2022 BOTM poll is The Portrait of a Lady. Since this is a very long read depending on the translation you use we will read this over three months. A reading schedule will be posted shortly.

Reading Schedule:

July 1 - 2 - Perface

July 3 - 9 - Chapter 1 - 4

July 10 - 16 - Chapter 5 - 8

July 17 - 23 - Chapter 9 - 12

July 24 - 30 - Chapter 13 - 17

July 31 - August 6 - Chapter 18 - 21

August 7 - 13 - Chapter 22- 25

August 14 - 20 - Chapter 26- 29

August 21 - 27 - Chapter 30 - 34

August 28 - Sept 3 - Chapter 35 - 38

Sept 4 - 10 - Chapter 39 - 42

Sept 11 - 17 - Chapter 43 - 46

Sept 18 - 24 - Chapter 47- 50

Sept 25 - 30 - Chapter 51 - 55


Post your comments regarding this read on this thread.

I read this a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. I may follow along your comments just to revisit this book. It will be like visiting an old friend. I’ll just read the comments. I can’t recall much about the book at this time.

I second.

I read the book several years ago, but I'll be reading it again now that I am older and may appreciate it more than I did back then.

I am reading along with this book and plan on staying pretty close to the schedule as I still need to go back and read last month's selection. I got busy and am a little behind so this slower read came at a good time for me. My first impressions are that we are reading a very character-building author that is spending a lot of time giving us the background of these characters so that we can maybe better understand what is coming in the future? I also think Ralph is having a hard time being the cousin and not a possible suiter to Isabel. I have done no research on this novel and have no idea where we are going with this.

I wasn't expecting the delightful humor.

I just finished Chapter 4. I also wasn't expecting the humor and it's also easier to read than I thought it would be. Not much to say yet because I'm only a few chapters in, but it's been an enjoyable start and Isabel seems like an interesting character. I'm looking forward to getting to know her more.

Michelle wrote: "I just finished Chapter 4. I also wasn't expecting the humor and it's also easier to read than I thought it would be. Not much to say yet because I'm only a few chapters in, but it's been an enjoya..."

Yes, same here. I'm quite surprised by the humor too and it is much easier to read than I expected. I only ever read "The Turn of the Screw" by James and I found that a bit tough.

Jade wrote: "This is my first book by Henry James. and I like how he plays on the symbolism or imagery of “translation” and “original” in small settings and details."

I like your interpretation of "translation" and "original". I must admit I didn't notice it as such when I read this week's section.

I am however struck by the contrast James makes between America and England, but I understood it more as a contrast between "old" and "new". America the land of "new money", still trying to find itself vs. Britain the land of ancient tradition, of long lines of nobility and cultural refinement.

I almost laughed out loud when I read that comment on American Conservatives: "Tories and bigots, every one of them; there were no conservatives like American conservatives [...] nothing could be more mediaeval than many of their views..."

I haven't read any Henry James for decades - and I'm not sure I could face any now! However, PoaL was always the most accessible even though you want to shake the heroine for stupidly marrying the man she did. Reminds me of the heroine of Middlemarch (Dorothea) stupidly marrying the boring as hell old guy, Casaubon.

PoaL's husband is much worse though - seriously 'yuk'. I dimly remember a film version (?) and he was played by John Malkovich, who is superb at creepy roles.

It's an incredibly depressing story, however, of a woman who ruins her own life (hope that wasn't a spoiler - but one does not read Henry James for happy endings alas!) (or, being waspish (!) reads him at all if one has anything better to do with one's life.)

Read Edith Wharton instead. Less 'great' but a hell of a lot more readable and sympathetic. Not great for happy endings either, though. Shame.

Hi Beth. While reading the last week’s chapters, I was also wondering why Isabel will later on marry a despicable man (it was not a spoiler as this was already written on the blurb on my book copy). She is rejecting proposals from Warburton and Goodwood and both of them seem decent to me, surely better than who she will end up with later on. I understand the reason for the rejection. It appears she wants her independence. I’m interested to read on to find out what makes her marry later on.

I also like her friend Miss Stackpole. I love that both her and Isabel are quite independent and not afraid to express their views, which is quite rare in a classic novel.

I'm a bit ahead of the schedule as I listen to audio book on my commute to and from work and don't stop for schedules lol. A couple of my first observations:
I'm always struck in period pieces like this how this class of people (and particularly the women) are so very idle. The seem to have no actual work to do. There are references to embroidery, etc, but otherwise, they don't cook, clean, or do much but sit around talking and having tea! Traveling the world and just visiting numerous places seems to be the largest pastime. At least that is the impression I get from the literature.
Second, I am not understanding what makes Isabel so particularly admirable or special. There are references to her intellect, but thus far, I don't see anything particularly different or special about her, except perhaps her unwillingness to marry. She's not even described as being extraordinarily beautiful. What are her skills? What makes her so interesting?

I agree with Jade. It’s rare for a female character in a novel set during this time to talk like that.

Yes it seems like Isabel was different before and used to have some interest in Goodman. I’m becoming more and more curious to know what will make her accept marriage later on in the book when she’s very assertive about having her freedom right now.

Hi Jade. Thanks for the reminder. However I am also following the reading schedule and in fact I’m a little bit behind so I don’t think I have disclosed anything that anyone isn’t supposed to know yet. That tidbit of future information I did share is from the book’s description, including the description of the book on Goodreads so I figured it was alright to share.

Yes that’s smart. Sometimes these summaries reveal too much :)

I haven't been doing much reading this summer, but I am going to try to get back on track with this novel. I am am only on chapter 13, so if I can roughly read a chapter a day, I can still finish on time :-)



The only other Henry James novels I have read before were The Aspern Papers and Turn of the Screw.

I am up to chapter 23, so a little behind the schedule.

I wonder what Madame Merle’s motives are concerning Isabel and why she wants Osmond to meet Isabel and marry her. What would Madame Merle get out of this? I’m also intrigued by the relationship between Madame Merle and Ralph. I wonder what has happened between them in the past.

Hi everyone, I am reading at just about scheduled pace as I also am behind on my summer reading. I am also reading Orlando because of missing it along the way.
Some of my thoughts so far are, if her desire to see the world and be independent is true, why does she constantly look for acceptance from all the men and women she meets. Money is no object anymore and the world is there for her to take. Also why does everyone fall in love with her so easily? I find her to be a little blunt and self-serving. Spending all that time with these men who seem to have no control over their admiration for her and then bluntly turning them away seems to bring her some pleasure. The women all seem to want to be her guide in life but then they themselves are trying to manipulate her into something they want.
I think her aunt is the one she should model herself after if she is truly looking to travel the world and keep her independence.
Anyway, I am enjoying my hour a day with Henry James so far, he keeps the plot moving at a pace that keeps me wanting to know what is coming up next.

Jade and Larry, I agree with you on Isabel. I too feel like she’s rejecting proposals just for the satisfaction of it. It also seems she was leading them on, especially Goodwood who crossed the sea just to propose to her again.

I also looked up what her inheritance amount would actually be worth today and it’s about 9 million pounds! I’m not sure how accurate my source is but that’s an insane amount!

I felt this part became her having fun rejecting men who liked her…I enjoyed the story of Pansy, almost felt like a fairytale, and she was one character who seemed very real…That gave more to the story besides Isabella and her suitors.

Any thoughts on The Portrait of a Lady at this point? :)

I finally caught up with the reading schedule and am on chapter 39. It was foreshadowed that she would marry Osmond, but when it happened, it was still kind of a surprise.

I am really curious where the plot with Rosier and Pansy is going!

Yes, I found it a surprise too and Osmond a very flat character.
That part is interesting! and more gets added to it.

I got behind because I was reading some other books but finally caught up to chapter 42 again. I know the book tries to explain it, but I still don't fully understand why Isabel chose to marry Osmond when she rejected more eligible men and when she also really wanted to enjoy her independence.

I also have this strong urge to say "They told you so!" to Isabel. Ralph, Henrietta, and her aunt all tried to warn her but she was just so stubborn.

Michelle, It does seem unexpected…I think she just liked Italy 😂.

Italy does have its magic!

I’ve just finished chapter 46.

I found it very strange that Lord Warburton would show an interest Pansy after his past with Isabel. What a difficult position it put Isabel in.

Yes, that was an odd thing…I liked how uncomplicated Pansy and Isabel interacted, was a kind of peace and innocence in the tumultuous story :)

Yes I also enjoy the interactions between Pansy and Isabel.

I’ve been wondering what’s in it for Madame Merle. Why is she so invested in Osmond, and now Pansy marrying well. Is it simply to help a friend? Or is there something else going on between Madame Merle and Osmond?

Anyway, I finished this book the other night. I did not really care for (or understand) the ending. I won't do any spoilers yet, but I can't wait to find out what you all think as well.

I finished it too and I definitely have thoughts about the ending!! I’ll wait until the end of the month to share them.

I wonder what you guys thought of the ending?

Yeah I was quite disappointed. I thought she would have learned enough to leave Osmond, although I don't think going with Goodwood would have been the right choice either because she has always been quite blunt about rejecting him. I was actually very surprised by their passionate kiss and then her sudden return back to her husband. I guess Pansy was a big reason she returned.

Michelle, I found that too and that Isabel had a genuine loyalty and concern for Pansy, seemed like it put romance in a less important category that she would not have found without the direct experience. I had a similar feeling ab end, yet i felt it gave the novel an added depth, a little of a turn of genre.

Jade, I do agree that the ending added some depth. The ending I wanted would have been too predictable. I also read in a review that this ending actually makes Isabel stronger because she chose to live with the consequences of her own choices.

I forgot to mention that while Ralph’s eventual death was expected, it was still very sad. After Pansy, I think he was my favorite character.

Michelle, I see your points :) yes sometimes the ending predictable may not show something to the reader…Ralph seemed very lively like Pansy who was my fav too

Glad I'm not the only one who got to the end and was unfulfilled with the outcome. On further time to digest it I guess what makes this so interesting is the ending. I thought she would finally become the confident smart and worldly person I thought her to be in the beginning and then watched as she spiraled into a weak naive and timid person. I started out rooting for her and in the end was very disappointed in her. In the end I keep thinking about this novel long after reading it and that means to me it must be well worth the effort.