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    The Portrait of a Lady
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    The Portrait of a Lady
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    The Portrait of a Lady
    Audiobook (abridged)5 hours

    The Portrait of a Lady

    Written by Henry James

    Narrated by Elizabeth McGovern

    4/5

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    About this audiobook

    The Portrait of a Lady tells the compelling and ultimately tragic tale of a beautiful young American woman’s encounter with European sophistication. Set principally in England and Italy, we follow Isabel Archer’s fortunes as a variety of admirers vie for her hand. Her choice will be crucial, and she is not wanting for advice, whether from the generous-spirited Ralph Touchett or the charming but rootless Madame Merle…
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherNaxos Audiobooks
    Release dateFeb 1, 2006
    ISBN9789629545444
    Author

    Henry James

    Henry James was born in New York in 1843, the younger brother of the philosopher William James, and was educated in Europe and America. He left Harvard Law School in 1863, after a year's attendance, to concentrate on writing, and from 1869 he began to make prolonged visits to Europe, eventually settling in England in 1876. His literary output was both prodigious and of the highest quality: more than ten outstanding novels including his masterpiece, The Portrait of a Lady; countless novellas and short stories; as well as innumerable essays, letters, and other pieces of critical prose. Known by contemporary fellow novelists as 'the Master', James died in Kensington, London, in 1916.

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    Reviews for The Portrait of a Lady

    4/5

    1,610 ratings60 reviews

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    • 5/5
      The story of a young, orphaned woman, Isabel Archer who arrives in England with her aunt. She is 23 years of age and is filled with bright optimism and doesn't want to settle but desires freedom. Men fall for her and she refuses them. Isabel had no money but when she inherits a large sum that she had no idea was going to come her way, this changes everything. She is no longer free but burdened by the burden of this inheritance. She is taken in by some two ex patriots who have their eye on this fortune. The rest of the story is about the choices she made and will make and the effects it has on her. I loved the prose, the characters, and the themes.
    • 5/5
      Give the book its deserved five stars, but Isabel is boring. In fact, everybody in the book is boring except Ralph. Isabel and Ralph are the yin and yang of good and truth; Merle and Osmond the yin and yang of evil and deception. And who cares about little Pansy? She is simply the vapid cement bonding together the evil duo, as the blood tie bonds together the hero and heroine.

      James mercifully kills off the narrative ten pages after Ralph's demise, as if he knows who the main character really is. The best part of the whole book is when Ralph calls Osmond a "sterile dillettante." You go, Ralph.

      James rewards the reader's perserverance with plenty of depth. The novel is a psychological gold mine. It's only flaws are:

      1. a superfluity of suitors. There is a veritable swarm of them. They come out of the woodwork; lurk in every bush. The women in the book can't sit down in the park without lighting on a hopeless suitor. It gets really old.

      2. a gross, unforgiveable scarcity of Ralph.
    • 5/5
      I have just finished reading Portrait of a Lady by Henry James. I had read it about 8 years back, and in this my second reading, I am as much affected by the beauty of the writing and the charm of the protagonist, as I was then. This novel is about a young and attractive American whose life takes an unexpected turn when her Aunt decides to' bring her out'' in England. Isabel is young and idealistic, with all the exuberance and vitality of youth. She bubbles with optimism, and lays stake to a higher moral ground. At the same time, she has that sense of infallibility and invulnerability that only youth enjoys.The novel shows her growth from youth to adulthood. On this road of life, Isabel's ideals and ideas collide with the reality of life. A higher moral consciousness is not enough to stop one from making wrong decisions because of poor judgement.Though she hangs on to her ideals, the world is not what she expected it to be, and she suffers" the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune".. She suffers the pain of realising that God is not in His heaven, and all is not right with the world. Early in the book, with all the nonchalance and insouscance of the young, she has blithely declared that people suffer too easily. She has to eat her words in the course of the story.Well, that is what growing up is about. When we realise that we too are of the common mould, and not special enough to be protected from suffering or martyrdom. I read somewhere that Isabel is one of the great fictional heroines of classical literature, belonging to the category of Elizebeth Bennett and Jane Eyre. But whereas their romances end with a happy ever after touch, Isabel's is ambiguous. She is not of the Anna Karenina or Emma Bovary variety, those bored housewives who seek excitement in extra marital affairs that eventually lead to their downfall. Isabel is made of sterner metal, and she lives up to the homily that with great freedom comes great responsibility.I recommend this book to every reader.
    • 4/5
      Wonderfully thorough psychological novel, the thoroughness can drag at times.
    • 5/5
      Isabel Archer refuses to follow a life that is too prescribed by classical romantic notions. She is determined to find and follow her own path, or remain unsatisfied. This characteristic rules her as a number of suitors make themselves known. The story is primarily about what leads to the choice she makes, and its repercussions. Several other characters are intriguing and their roles each become clear. I had trouble placing the relevancy of Henrietta's story; I believe it clarifies that James' message was not about refusing women the right to make independent choices, but about ensuring illusions are fully dispelled before a choice is made. I really enjoyed this novel for its being chock full of people who make sharp observations, if not always accurate. There is no comedy of misunderstandings here, only analysis that is either lacking or overdone. Henry James knows how to get inside characters' heads and make himself at home, offering strong, natural motives for actions and dialogue that is brilliant both for what is said and what is not. The ending is very satisfying and comes together beautifully. I'm open to reading more of James' novels, but I suspect this will remain my favourite.
    • 5/5
      Mind which edition you're reading; the earlier one, published in the 1880's, is very different from the final one.
    • 4/5
      Oh, Isabel Archer, you seemed like such a strong, independent young woman, newly rich and off to see the world. You had good friends who gave you good advise. Why did you make the wrong choice of husband and change the whole character of your life? But you were young and had the means and opportunity to fix things. Why did you make the decision you did? I mostly enjoyed the process of reading this book, though I ran across many passages whose meaning eluded me and was obviously very frustrated by the main character. Great characters who I won't forget for quite a while.
    • 3/5
      (some SPOILER herein)I began reading this book on, I think, abourt March 31 , 1952. My first comment on it was on April 6, 1952, when I said: " Reading Portrait of a Lady. Continues dull. Rather amazing precisely because it is so dull. Plot is insipid. Isabel Archer turns down an English lord and inherits 70,000 pounds from her uncle. She then marries an American esthete living in Italy, Gilbert Osmond, and is very unhappy. The characterization of the non-living-in-Europe Ameicans--Henrietta Stackpole and Casper Goodwood--is amazingly shallow--as if James knew nothing of such kind of people." On April 7, 1952 I said: "Reading in Portrait of a Lady. It now develops that Gilbet Osmond's daughter Pansy is the daughter of Madame Merle. Madame Merle managed the marrigage of Gilbert and Isabel Archer so thiat he'd have plenty money and so Pansy'd be taken care of. Isabel knows this now, but what her final decsion as to her relations with her husband will be is not yet known. James' characters are perfectly, if unhurriedly, drawn, except, of course, for what I mentioned yesterday." On April 8, 1952, I said: "Finished Portrait of a Lady. Isabel fights off a last wooing by Caspar and goes back to her husband, Gilbert. I didn't dislike the book nearly as much as I did, e.g., The Ordeal of Richard Feveril, which I read July 30, 1950.
    • 4/5
      Fascinating to think about (and possibly disagree with) the heroine's choices throughout the book. I didn't love the ending, but I believed that Isabel would have made this choice. I didn't find this an easy or quick read; in fact, it took me most of a busy June to finish it. I started it in Modern Library edition (500+ pages) but was too overwhelmed by it and switched a to a Barnes and Noble edition that was a Nook freebie some time ago. Somehow the smaller e-page size was right for me with this book. It's fun to remember that the book originally was published in Atlantic Magazine and Macmillan's over the course of years - similar to how some Dickens novels were published. Members of book club who did not have time to read "Portrait" tackled the shorter "Daisy Miller" by Henry James instead; one of them liked it well enough to continue on to "Washington Square."
    • 4/5
      The Portrait of a Lady is the story of an interesting woman, an attractive woman with many "theories".Isabel leaves America to travel to England with her aunt, rejecting an offer of marriage from a good and successful man. She arrives at the home of her uncle and cousin, Henry and Ralph Touchett. In no time she has captivated everyone. An English lord proposes marriage to her, and again she refuses, saying she is not interested in marriage.Henry and Ralph are intrigued by their lovely relative who keeps refusing marriage offers from these very good, suitable men. When Henry is on his deathbed, he and Ralph decide to leave Isabel a fortune. With a fortune, she will have independence and the freedom to remain unmarried if she chooses. Ralph in particular is very interested in seeing what she will do with her life.Sadly, Isabel's life is not as easy or as happy as her friends had hoped for. What will she do with her life when her "theories" don't work out?This book was my first by Henry James. It was much easier to read than I expected. HJ does write very long paragraphs, but I got used to them. I like the way HJ pulls the reader inside Isabel's mind. The more I read, the more I was determined to find out what would happen to Isabel and her friends. There are a lot of great characters here, to analyze and enjoy. This is a book to sink your teeth into.
    • 5/5
      This book flows smoothly, gently propelled by James's magnificent prose. Not over-written, but rather a precisely-written work designed to tell a very specific story. Isabel, a young woman from New York, recently orphaned, is swept up by her aunt and carried off to England and Europe. She's a wonderfully intelligent, beautiful girl, inherits a fortune, and makes an unfortunate marriage. The unfolding of Isabel's sad decline from being an earnest, eager young woman who wants to experience everything to a much sadder but much wiser woman is amazingly done; James really understands psycology and motives. There are many well-drawn supporting characters, none of whom seems far-fetched or unreal. A most ingruing and marvelous novel.
    • 4/5
      The Portrait of a Lady is a story of Americans abroad, and a story of love and loss. Isabel Archer arrives in England with her aunt, Lydia Touchett, who is intent on broadening her horizons. Lydia is the mother of Isabel's cousin Ralph, who lives with his father on their English estate, Gardencourt. Within a few weeks of her arrival at Gardencourt, Isabel turns down two marriage proposals, insisting on maintaining her independence. She inherits a considerable sum of money, and it appears she will be able to achieve her goal. Unfortunately, her "friends" have other ideas, and when Isabel travels to the continent, she soon finds herself falling for Gilbert Osmond, an American living in Italy. Sadly, their marriage is not a happy one and Isabel is stuck making the best of a bad situation.The story evolves quite slowly, but there's much more to this rich novel than can be described in a simple plot summary. Henry James' writing is complex, but not as difficult to read as I'd feared. James was himself an American living abroad, and he clearly loved his adopted country. Speaking through Ralph Touchett's father, James offers a delightful point of view of an American living in England:I've been watching these people for upwards of thirty-five years, and I don't hesitate to say that I've acquired considerable information. It's a very fine country on the whole--finer perhaps than we give it credit for on the other side. There are several improvements I should like to see introduced; but the necessity of them doesn't seem to be generally felt as yet.And the characterizations are superb. Ralph cares deeply for Isabel, but never acts on his feelings. Lydia is self-centered, but in an amusing way. Madame Merle, a good friend of Lydia, is quite eccentric and takes Isabel under her wing; however, there is a mysterious side to her as well. Isabel's friend Henrietta is assertive and brash, perhaps representing the "typical American" in Europe. Gilbert Osmond is completely unlikeable, and his sister Amy, the Countess Gemini, is vapid and self-centered, but pulls off a major feat near the end that shows there's much more to her than meets the eye.Throughout this novel Isabel is caught between a desire for independence, and societal pressures and expectations. James' understated prose delivers surprising emotional intensity, through a collection of memorable characters. Highly recommended.
    • 4/5
      This novel begins slowly, even rather boringly, but it becomes interesting largely due to the singular qualities of Isabel Archer, the novel's main character, and her journalist friend Henrietta. Isabel has a nature that is quietly independent. To her aunt she admits that she "'always wants to know the things one shouldn't do'. 'So as to do them?' asked her aunt. 'So as to choose,' said Isabel."Isabel wants to see the world and vows never to marry. Because of the date at which the book was written, we know that marriage is one of the few options open to her (especially as she hasn't a huge amount of money). She tells her cousin Ralph, 'I don't want to begin life by marrying. There are other things a woman can do'. Ralph, though, is more clear-sighted. 'There's nothing she can do so well,' he says.Henrietta adds interest to the story. Like Isabel she is American, and critical of British life, in particular the aristocracy. She is scathing when she, Ralph and Isabel take a trip to London, and Ralph notes that no one is presently in town. 'There's no one here, of course, but three or four millions of people. What is it you call them - the lower-middle class? They're only the population of London, and that's of no consequence.'The novel is a fairly lengthy one, and some threads are abruptly dropped and never taken up again. Having finished the book, I'm still not really sure why Mme Merle engineered Isabel's marriage - the reasons given in the text aren't entirely convincing. Mme Merle seemed all set to be one of those juicy, scheming, manipulative women, but - rather like Henrietta's fierce attacks on the British way of life - the promise of fireworks is not kept.As a portrait of a young woman who wanted to "look at life for [herself]...but were punished for [her] wish" it is wholly convincing. The relationship between Isabel and her cousin is touching, and Gilbert is repulsive not because he's monstrous, but simply because he's cold. The only character I found too wet to endure is Pansy, who is quite as droopy as her name suggests. [May 2006]
    • 5/5
      This book got me to journaling again! I call it a psychological study of how narcissitic-like people can attract each other, marry and learn to live with it for the sake of appearances. I originally watched the old version on DVD. The production put enough in and left enough out to stimulate interest to get the book. I read in one week and couldn't wait to see what happened next to the heroine, so young, really inexperienced with a head full of who knows what ideas. The narrative of Mr. James for me was outstanding and several of the characters remarks make interesting, humorous, and thought provoking quotes. Loved it. This was not a smutty novel--very classy stuff.
    • 4/5
      A very good, although a bit dense in places. The ending a little strange as it stops almost in mid scene.
    • 4/5
      What can I possibly add that hasn't been said?Henry James has painted a masterful portrait of the life of Isabel Archer, especially her thoughts and feelings as she comes of age in Europe. And every character is similarly well drawn, vivid and real. I read mostly comtemporary fiction, so it took me a while to get used to the flow and cadence of this book; after about 100 pages, I couldn't put it down. The writing is so beautiful, with a flair for description so many of us have lost in this screen-based culture. As in real life, it is mainly the characters who carry the story, rather than the opposite.Isabel is a young woman with opinions and a strong sense of herself; one of the great heroines of classic literature. I only with Mr. James had shared with us how Isabel decided to marry Osmond in the first place!
    • 5/5
      I couldn't put this down. I absolutely adored it. James' analysis of human character is unparalleled. I was on spring break in Italy as I read this and I simply could not get Isabel's world out of my mind. It was so vivid and real all around me. Highly recommended.
    • 5/5
      Isabel Archer and her dear dying friend Ralph Touchett are easily one of my favourite non-items in literature. And what would we do without Miss Henrietta Stackpole?
    • 4/5
      Yet another book I've studied, so i've little memory of it, it was so long ago. I do remember liking it lots though. There, that's my analytical response.
    • 4/5
      There is a reason some books will last through the centuries as classics and thousands of others will float off into the land of anonymity. There is really not too much to this story, yet I was captivated the whole way through. There is so much happening underneath the actual events that if you do not allow yourself to be fully engaged you will miss and not be as struck by the ending.There is such a shift in your interpretation of characters as the book goes on and you do not fully realize until you step back and think back. Doing this now and realizing the shift that takes place in Isabel is so odd because you are along the whole process and you do not fully realize what is happening.This was an excellent book and comes highly recommended!
    • 4/5
      Scintillating dialogue, fine observation, antithetical development, The style is breathtaking. yet I have rarely been so annoyed with the characters depicted in a fiction. Increasingly as the tale unravels they seem to merge into a portrait of an under-employed over-privileged class of snobs, preening around European palaces like ancestral jet-setters with too much time on their hands. Despite this the heroine is complex and compelling and the loose ends of unresolved lives illuminated
    • 2/5
      The Portrait of a Lady. I expected more from this book than it was able to give me. True, this is my first book by Henry James, and I have not heard much of his work, but my expectations were yet high. The title was enchanting and romantic, and I could only hope that the book would be equally so. Alas.It started out well enough-romantic, interesting, and very English. But I didn't even much like Isabel. She seemed conceited and unnatural-and trying so hard to be "American." All of her suitors were too likable-except for the one she ended up marrying. Why couldn't one have them been extraordinarily repulsive, or something? I wanted her to marry Lord Warburton, Caspar Goodwood and Ralph Touchett. I could never quite make up my mind which was best of the latter two. Lord Warburton got disgustingly sentimental and selfish towards the end.And the whole outlook of the book seemed so-immoral. Not at all in the usual way-there was nothing "improper," and only one kiss-at the end. Just the attitude of it, I suppose-so independant. Isabel didn't want to get married the whole book-and when she finally did, she had to chose the wrong husband. And then they hated each other and all that . . .And the ending was unsatisfactory. Of course I couldn't help hoping she'd end up liking Caspar Goodwood-but she was still married, even though her husband's adultery was a tidy excuse for leaving him.Pshaw. Caspar and Ralph were the only good parts of the book, and they deserved better fellow characters and plot.She wasn't at all what a lady should have been-she was immature, rushed into things, had not much discretion or foresight-it would have better been titled, "A Portrait of a Girl."A disappointment. If she had not married, it would have been altogether better.
    • 4/5
      A young American lady thrown into 19th century European bourgeois society, into a balancing act between freedom and possession.Henry James takes his time in making us acquainted with the lady to be portrayed: The story unfolds rather slowly only to gain immense momentum in the final third. I especially enjoyed reading James' vivid descriptions of settings and situations and the witty dialogues. While at the end of the novel I feel I 'know' many of the book's prominent characters, the central figure, Isabel Archer, remains more complex and mysterious to some extent. A trait of her character and a fine mist on her portrait. All in all a delightful read.(By the way: I don't think the lady looks one bit like the one shown on the Wordsworth cover.)
    • 2/5
      Fairly agonizing to see how the lovable protagonist moves steadily forward towards marriage to a jerk.
    • 5/5
      This was an interesting psychological study of an independent woman given a chance to live financially independently and what she chooses to do with that chance.
    • 5/5
      this is a wonderful book, while the language is more flowering and complex then current speech, the story is very modern. the story of the mystery of love, who we love, what happens to that love, and how love with the right people can endure. the main character, Isabel, is a strong intellegence kind woman that struggles to be true to yourself and to find values that endure beyond her. excellent book
    • 5/5
      Another excellent read. I decided to read this one because I hadn't read any real James before and I felt like that was a situation that needed to be remedied. Although a bit arduous at times, and I am still a bit puzzled about the ending, this book was a delightful read. Another 19th century realist novel full of rich character development, although they were not as sympathetic here as they were in Eliot. James seems to examine his characters more than he loves them, even though it is clear he loves some of them. The book did feel a little dry and removed at times, as if you could feel the ticking of an almost mechanical examiner or observer, but the insights and characters were intriguing and thought-provoking. I probably would not recommend this one to the casual reader--too many dry spells to get lost in--but it is a rewarding read, especially if you like to examine some great writing yourself. A great artist and a good read, I really liked this book.
    • 5/5
      I read The Ambassadors last year and found it almost totally impenetrable, so I was honestly dreading this one a little bit. Unlike The Ambassadors, however, Portrait of a Lady was clear as a bell. Moving and wonderful.
    • 4/5
      Okay, to be honest, I didn't read the middle 300 pages. But it's 600 pages long! And besides, it was originally serialized. I don't think it's necessary to read serialized stories in their entirety, any more than it's necessary to see every episode of a television drama in order to claim familiarity with it. Anyway, I was reading for style, not plot, and the style was wonderful. I love his way of writing all the way around a subject, instead of addressing it directly.
    • 5/5
      The only Henry James novel I've read (albeit I have not read many) in which the emotional elements cut through his thick prose and really moved me deeply. I cried at the ending-