The smart and strong-willed Isabel Archer is brought to Europe by her well-off aunt Touchett to enter wedlock. Resolved to navigate her own destiny, she unabashedly turns down two eligible suitors who offer their wealth and devotion to her. Amongst this, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to a handsome, cruel charmer. Renowned as a masterpiece among James's early writings, this novel portrays the stark contrast between naivety and high spirits of the new world and deception and wisdom of the old. It also profoundly ...
Read More
The smart and strong-willed Isabel Archer is brought to Europe by her well-off aunt Touchett to enter wedlock. Resolved to navigate her own destiny, she unabashedly turns down two eligible suitors who offer their wealth and devotion to her. Amongst this, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to a handsome, cruel charmer. Renowned as a masterpiece among James's early writings, this novel portrays the stark contrast between naivety and high spirits of the new world and deception and wisdom of the old. It also profoundly counters the themes of individual liberty, duty, treachery and sexuality.
Read Less
Add this copy of The Portrait of a Lady to cart. $30.05, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2023 by Rupa & Co.
One of Henry James's best books, this is an intricately plotted account of a young, idealistic American woman caught in a web by devious Europeans. Isabel is the lady of the title, visiting Europe for the first time in the 1870's. Our book club read this together, and had a lively discussion. Not everyone liked the heroine, but all agreed that this is a beautifully written and fascinating novel.