The Portrait of a Lady (Modern Library Classics) [Paperback]

Henry James (Author), Anita Brookner (Introduction)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0375759190 | ISBN-13: 978-0375759192 | Publication Date: February 12, 2002 | Edition: New edition

One of the great heroines of American literature, Isabel Archer, journeys to Europe in order to, as Henry James writes in his 1908 Preface, “affront her destiny.” James began The Portrait of a Lady without a plot or subject, only the slim but provocative notion of a young woman taking control of her fate. The result is a richly imagined study of an American heiress who turns away her suitors in an effort to first establish—and then protect—her independence. But Isabel’s pursuit of spiritual freedom collapses when she meets the captivating Gilbert Osmond. “James’s formidable powers of observation, his stance as a kind of bachelor recorder of human doings in which he is not involved,” writes Hortense Calisher, “make him a first-class documentarian, joining him to that great body of storytellers who amass what formal history cannot.”

Editorial Reviews

Review

“The Portrait of a Lady is entirely successful in giving one the sense of having met somebody far too radiantly good for this world.”—Rebecca West

From the Publisher

Founded in 1906 by J.M. Dent, the Everyman Library has always tried to make the best books ever written available to the greatest number of people at the lowest possible price. Unique editorial features that help Everyman Paperback Classics stand out from the crowd include: a leading scholar or literary critic's introduction to the text, a biography of the author, a chronology of her or his life and times, a historical selection of criticism, and a concise plot summary. All books published since 1993 have also been completely restyled: all type has been reset, to offer a clarity and ease of reading unique among editions of the classics; a vibrant, full-color cover design now complements these great texts with beautiful contemporary works of art. But the best feature must be Everyman's uniquely low price. Each Everyman title offers these extensive materials at a price that competes with the most inexpensive editions on the market-but Everyman Paperbacks have durable binding, quality paper, and the highest editorial and scholarly standards. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Modern Library; New edition edition (February 12, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375759190
• ISBN-13: 978-0375759192
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.9 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #229,438 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, Heart-rending, Poignant, and Tragic, April 26, 2000

By 

Cole Ansier - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Portrait of a Lady (Paperback)

Henry James has truly outdone himself with this book. While it is no longer my favorite James' novel, I still think it among the best novels written in the English language. The character of Isabel Archer is an indelible part of literature. The story begins with an American woman, left parentless and penniless, being discovered by an expatriate Aunt. The Aunt convinces her to go England with her so that she might meet her cousin, Ralph. Isabel eagerly agrees. She is idealistic and has always wanted to see Europe. Her aunt agrees to pay for the expenditures. Once there, Isabel falls in love with their house, Gardencourt, and grows to enjoy her frail, sweet, ironic, and funny cousin. Before Isabel knows it, she has become ensnared in a one-sided love affair with a handsome English nobleman, Lord Warburton, little knowing what to do. Despite the urgings of her aunt, Isabel rejects his proposal in the desire to wait for something better. Soon, her elderly uncle dies, but not before she charms him with her intelligence and subtle beauty. Ralph insists that his father leave Isabel a substantial fortune, so that she might be able to live as she wishes. When the uncle dies, Isabel is left with 70,000 pounds, or about 200,000 dollars. From here is where the true story begins. I will not reveal more of the plot, which unwinds slowly and with assurance. James, being a master of prose, knows how to manipulate a sentence in a multitude of ways. His lilting, ironic, verbose writing style lends class and charm to Isabel's ultimately tragic tale. Some modern readers aren't able to handle James' subtle style. Unfortunately, many of us have had to fight the effects of shortened attention spans. Reading a slow-paced and brilliantly conceived tale like this will surely help cure short attention spans. Once you begin the story, it grows on you and affects you greatly. James is difficult getting used to, but he grabs you with his excellent descriptions of passionate people. Finally, the brilliance of this book lies in its tragedy. Even though many readers can predict early on where Isabel's confidence and naivete will lead her, James makes the journey bumpy and fascinating. He also slowly injects the story with dread, as we begin to sense the true malevolence of Madame Merle's and Osmond's vicious plans. Their acts are pure Machiavellian glee. Only in the final third of the book does it become clear of the true nature of the scheming M. Merle's plans. James also leaves several important plot points until near the end of the novel. All of this leads to a long, engrossing, and sad story of a young woman "affronting her destiny", as James puts it. Rarely has so romantic or so devastating a book been written. The ending is the final kicker. Unlike the happy ending we suspect, James leaves readers with open interpretations and many possible questions regarding Isabel's TRUE feelings about men. It also most vividly presents her sexual repression and fear that dominate the entire book. James knew the reserves of the time dictated that such topics not be discussed, and he cleverly uses this theme discreetly. However, he also uses it as a sort of indictment on the times, with their lack of passion and sensuality. Many readers expect a conclusion to the story, but, as with real life, stories simply go on. The ending is perhaps the most modern thing about the book. It also makes certain readers know that Isabel's life will never be one of happiness. This is an exquisitely haunting masterpiece.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern Storytelling at its best, November 15, 2000

By 

Edward Aycock (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Portrait of a Lady (Mass Market Paperback)

The best thing about 19th century novels is that they take so long to unwind, you know that you are guaranteed a long and satisfying trip into a story. I initially bought this book after seeing the Jane Campion film, (which I actually wasn't too crazy about)but I always think it's a good idea to read the source material. After a few false starts (warning: one needs to devote all their attention to James in order to enjoy him)I finally got into this book, and couldn't put it down. From the great settings of the novel, to the variety of fascinating characters (the liberated Henrietta Stackpole, the sinister Madame Merle, the beloved Ralph Touchett, Ralph's eccentric mother, the flighty Countess Gemini, the deadly Gilbert Osmond, and of course, Isabel Archer herself... James gives characters great names as well) "Portrait" is a great novel not only of self discovery, but self deception. How many of us in this world have liked to have thought ourselevs as free to make our own chocies, and were excited by a future full of "possibility" only to allow something (or usually someone) to get in our way and make us realize just how quickly we can lose our freedom and be in a cage that we need to get out of. (Pardon my bad grammar.) Those of you looking fora Jane Austen type ending, this may not be the book for you, but I think this book is more of a spiritual cousin to Austen than we may think. It all comes down to making choices, and teh effects of those decisions. Throw off any reservations that you may have because this book was written over a century ago, it's as fresh, funny, tragic and riveting today as it was then. (And hey, buy the film soundtrack which perfectly captures the mood of the story for accompaniment..that was a plug!)

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A disheartening, uplifting, human masterpiece, January 21, 2000

By 

mrovich "mrovich" (London, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Portrait of a Lady (Paperback)

The idea of reviewing this novel came to me when reading the comments of 14 year old Camille, whose comments I consider to be extremely honest and justified. This is a difficult novel that cannot be uplifting for anyone who uses the English language - Henry James is a craftsman who with every phrase renders thoughts we struggle to grasp in our own minds, and who thus belittles our diminished, 21st century linguistic abilities.

It is ironic that a man so insightful can be so turgid at times, yet that criticism of his writing is accurate, inasmuch as he can go on and on. But, and this is a highly personal comment - I loved every single word in this book, the way they were placed, the way they sounded when read aloud, the way they made me exclaim with wonder every so often - "oh!".

Honestly. His characters are larger than life, because they carry the burden of a simple tale rendered into a novel. But they are also true - the sick old Touchett and his son Ralph; the "too-perfect" gentleman Warburton; the fiery, love-her-hate-her Henrietta; the two polished, sinister allies - Isabelle's husband and friend; and of course, Isabelle herself, "too darn conceited", yet a heroine of the first order, in whom there is something for everyone.

All the characters should remind you of people you know, though they all possess more of those same qualities you recognise - everyone is more accomplished than in real life. But, the narrative remains real by rendering everyone as partly flawed. It is in fact a novel that opposes completion (in death or marriage) or perfection - it suggests a search, thrives on the love of hope, the joy of what tomorrow brings. Which is why at the end, you feel unfulfilled, yet know that the novel had to stop at some point. It is an unfinished tale...the completion is in every turn of phrase, every character analysis

And, although James, not necessarily unintentionally, belittles us, he bears along with his flaw of linguistic self-love one more uplifting thrill - a compassion for the human spirit and a love of life. Read it again when you are older, Camille, and see how much of Isabelle there is in you.

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