Synopses & Reviews
Isabel Archer, a young American, accompanies her eccentric aunt to Europe, where her wit and beautyand#151;in addition to her substantial inheritanceand#151;quickly attract all manner of eager suitors. But beneath the romantic elegance of salons and ballrooms lies a tangle of treachery, deceit, and suffering.
The most enduringly popular of Henry James' novels, The Portrait of a Lady reflects the author's interest in the contrast between the Old and New Worlds. He traces Isabel's progress across England, Paris, Florence, and Rome with trenchant observations on customs and attitudes. The heroine's difficulties in reconciling her personal liberty with social propriety express James' shrewd appraisals of the naivete and nobility of the American character, as well as his views on the subtle refinements and conventionality of European culture. A gripping exploration of the clash between freedom and responsibility, this novel offers an accessible entree into the work of Henry James.
Synopsis
Young Isabel Archer, a beautiful American, travels to Europe where her naivete and recent inheritance attracts many suitors. But despite her great promise, she falls victim to her own provincialism. Exposing the differences between the New and the Old Worlds, James's masterpiece examines the themes of freedom, sexuality, and betrayal.
Synopsis
Young Isabel Archer, a beautiful American, travels to Europe where her naivete and recent inheritance attracts many suitors. But despite her great promise, she falls victim to her own provincialism. Exposing the differences between the New and the Old Worlds, James's masterpiece examines the themes of freedom, sexuality, and betrayal.
Synopsis
A young American travels to Europe where her naivete and#151; and recent inheritance and#151; attracts many suitors. James's masterpiece examines the themes of freedom, sexuality, and betrayal.
About the Author
American author Henry James (1843and#8211;1916) spent most of his career in Europe and ultimately adopted British citizenship. A prolific writer of criticism, biography, and travel-related books and articles, James is known above all for his highly influential novels, which frequently explore the clash of Old and New World cultures.