60 pages • 2 hours read
The Portrait of a Lady
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Book Brief
797
Novel • Fiction
Europe • 1870s
1881
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Portrait of a Lady follows Isabel Archer, a young American woman determined to maintain her freedom, who travels to Europe. She rejects two suitors but inherits a fortune, leading to her manipulation by Madame Merle and Gilbert Osmond. Isabel marries Osmond and later grapples with her unhappiness and her choices, eventually facing a decision about returning to him or seeking her own path.
Contemplative
Melancholic
Romantic
Mysterious
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
84,365 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Henry James' The Portrait of a Lady garners acclaim for its intricate character development and poignant exploration of personal freedom. Critics laud James' masterful prose and deep psychological insight. However, some find the novel's pacing slow and its ending anticlimactic. Overall, it remains a significant work in the literary canon for its rich narrative and complex themes.
Who Should Read The Portrait of a Lady?
Ideal for readers who relish intricate character studies and social mores, The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James will captivate those who appreciate psychological depth and moral ambiguity. Fans of Middlemarch by George Eliot or Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy may find parallels in its rich exploration of personal freedom and societal constraints.
84,365 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
797
Novel • Fiction
Europe • 1870s
1881
Adult
18+ years
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