Portrait of Jennie [Hardcover]

Robert Nathan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1971

A novel based on the frienship between a grown man and a small girl. The friendship grows to a supportive relationship when the girl teaches the man of a hidden way of life.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: A. A. Knopf (1971)
• ASIN: B000YBUFW8
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,213,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely and Haunting, August 24, 2000

By 

Richard R. Horton (Webster Groves, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Portrait of Jennie (Hardcover)

This lovely short novel was written in 1939, and made into a movie with Joseph Cotten and Jennifer (appropriate name!) Jones in 1948. It's an odd, very haunting book. At times it is extremely beautiful and moving, though I don't think Nathan quite manages the ending: which isn't to say I can see a better answer. It's about a young struggling artist who meets a mysterious little girl playing by herself in a park. He befriends her and learns that her parents are high wire jugglers. Then she disappears, but reappears a few more times, always a few years older. After a while the artist realizes how strange things are (Jennie always seems to know). Basically, she seems disconnected from time. The artist's sketches of Jennie give him the break he needs to make his career, but before long Jennie is all he cares about. The book moves quickly to the inevitable ending. Parts of it, as I said, are haunting: the images of the lonely girl in the park bring tears to my eyes as I type. And there are some very fine lines as well. Really a very good book.

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a classic romantic fantasy, August 25, 1999

By 

Sandangelbooks "playwright" (Chestnut Ridge, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Portrait of Jennie (Hardcover)

"Portrait of Jennie" is the classic romantic fantasyabout a struggling painter, Eben, and a strange little girl, Jennie,who becomes the artist's muse and his passion. In the months following their first encounter in New York City's Central Park, the enigmatic Jennie mysteriously vanishes and reappears. With each visit, she defies time, magically growing into young womanhood before Eben's bewildered but appreciative eyes. Jennie's beauty and supportive devotion to Eben inspires him to create his masterpiece.

Written by Robert Nathan, also the author of many prose and poetry works including "The Bishop's Wife," "Portrait of Jennie" was made into the 1948 movie starring Joseph Cotton and Jennifer Jones. Possibly a bit leisurely and introspective for those with fast-paced, action-oriented tastes, "Portrait of Jennie" nevertheless is a haunting and heartwarming tale of timeless trust, patience, and affection.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless Classic!!, August 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Portrait of Jennie (Hardcover)

This is one of the most wonderful love stories ever written. I first read this in 7th grade, and since then Robert Nathan has become my most favorite writer and "Portrait of Jennie" has become my most beloved book of all time. This is a timeless classic novelette. I am usually able to read this in one sitting, because the haunting story keeps me so hooked. The climatic, yet tearful ending only proves that love endures all things. If you ever feel depressed or hopeless, read "Portait of Jennie" and let it be your muse for inspiration as Jennie Appleton was Eben's muse during his time of hopelessness.