The Portrait of a Lady Audiobook [Free Download by Trial]

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The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James

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Summary

The heroine of this powerful novel is the spirited young American Isabel Archer. Blessed by nature and fortune, she journeys to Europe to seek her future, but what she finds may prove to be her undoing. She is courted by three men: an English aristocrat, an American gentleman, and a sensitive expatriate. Her invalid cousin becomes her benefactor and adviser. But it is after the ingenuous Isabel falls prey to the schemes of an infinitely more sophisticated older woman that her life takes shape. Rich in character and the interplay of tensions, The Portrait of a Lady is a brilliant, timeless, and essential American novel.

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2 comments

  • At one point during my reading of this book, I remember telling my husband that I wasn't a fan of it. However, as I continued, there came a moment when it became my favorite read of 2019! Ultimately, I came to appreciate that Mr. James was truly an artist, and Colm Toibin's description of him as "The Master" couldn't have been more accurate. So why the change of heart? I believe it's because this book is not an easy one to digest. It's intelligent, intricate, and challenging. To fully appreciate it, I had to immerse myself in the story without any distractions. Despite being published in 1881, this book has a remarkably modern feel to it. What stood out to me the most: 1. Isabel Archer James presents us with a story centered around a beautiful and resilient American woman who visits her wealthy relatives in England. She places great value on her independence, rejecting marriage proposals from two suitors. Inheriting a fortune, she seeks a solitary life where she won't be burdened or controlled by a man. However, she finds herself manipulated into marrying... 2. Gilbert Osmond He is one of the most despicable, arrogant, sinister, spiteful, and captivating antagonists I've encountered in quite some time. He truly enhances the quality of the book. The dynamic between the headstrong woman and the sickeningly obsessed man is what reminded me of my love for the modern book, "The Pillars of the Earth." The pairing of Isabel and Gilbert shares similarities with that of Aliena & William Hamleigh. I know it may sound strange, but I loved both duos equally.
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