You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James
The Modern Library, 2001
Originally Published 1881
565 pages
Classic
4/5 stars
Source: Library
I started this in order to add some more classics to my knowledge. It was my first James and I chose it because it was one of his first masterpieces, according to canon. I was thinking it would be something like Edith Wharton's writing. That is somewhat true as the minutiae of upper-class people and the dictates of society are the focus. Let's start with a summary, which kind of has spoilers but this book is over 100 years old so I don't feel bad about that or anything.
Isabel is a young American who inherits wealth from her uncle. She rejects proposals from the wealthy polite Lord Warburton and the energetic American businessman Caspar Goodwood. Isabel eventually marries Count Osmond, a poor American in Italy, despite the objections from her cousin Ralph, her aunt Mrs. Touchett, and her friend Henrietta. After several years of marriage, she finally realizes what they recognized from the start: Osmond is not a romantic exciting man. He is narrow-minded and controlling; he raised his daughter to bend entirely to his will and he expected his wife to conform to his dictates as well, acting as an ornament to his pride rather than as an independent person. He also wanted her money. The first part of the novel covers her interactions with people and her decision to marry. The pulls of her own spirit versus her perceived duty to her husband define the second part, ending with her decision to remain with her husband.
I chose this as the book considered one of James's earliest masterpieces. I was hoping that it would be fairly accessible, which I found it to be and that the style wouldn't be too radical. I think I've read that James went very extreme in later books but maybe not yet? I will need to read more of him before I can decide. Any recommendations?
I feel completely unable to embark on a full analysis of James's style but I can mention some things I noticed. There were many instances where a single paragraph would take up a page or even two; there would just be pages and pages of lingering descriptions of Isabel and those around her. As the story progressed though, there was more dialogue and less of a focus on Isabel. Instead there were (seemingly) peripheral events described. Important events are skipped over such as the actual marriage of Isabel and Osmond and the birth and death of their child while seemingly insignificant conversations are recorded. The book is narrated by an omniscient narrator, who occasionally inserts himself into the book using "I." While the narrator knows more than the reader, he doles out that bit of knowledge sparingly.
I am glad that I am already familiar with some of the old-fashioned mores and standards or I would have found them even more bewildering. For example, Isabel is determined to not share her unhappiness in marriage with anyone. She will not consider leaving her husband despite his brutality and the encouragement of friends. This could seem bizarre under current standards but this book is from the late nineteenth century with upper-class continental Europeans, a vastly different society. Even so, there were some frustrating moments.
There were still several upsetting moments for me. First that Isabel threw away possible happiness with Goodwood in favor of her ill-advised attachment to Osmond. She denied the idea that the slightly sinister Madame Merle influenced her marriage before finally realizing that it was so. The other upsetting instant revolved around Pansy Osmond, the daughter of Osmond who he has trained to obey, kind of like a dog. She represses her independent thoughts and gives up her love because it does not please her father's pride. While Isabel returns to her husband, it seems to stem partly from her promise to love and watch over Pansy. However I fear that both women will continue to suffer under Osmond's thumb, leaving a tragic pall over the conclusion.
There's so much more to discuss but I'm going to stop now with my Overall: A surprisingly accessible example of Henry James's prose; I am eager to read more of his work.
The Modern Library, 2001
Originally Published 1881
565 pages
Classic
4/5 stars
Source: Library
I started this in order to add some more classics to my knowledge. It was my first James and I chose it because it was one of his first masterpieces, according to canon. I was thinking it would be something like Edith Wharton's writing. That is somewhat true as the minutiae of upper-class people and the dictates of society are the focus. Let's start with a summary, which kind of has spoilers but this book is over 100 years old so I don't feel bad about that or anything.
Isabel is a young American who inherits wealth from her uncle. She rejects proposals from the wealthy polite Lord Warburton and the energetic American businessman Caspar Goodwood. Isabel eventually marries Count Osmond, a poor American in Italy, despite the objections from her cousin Ralph, her aunt Mrs. Touchett, and her friend Henrietta. After several years of marriage, she finally realizes what they recognized from the start: Osmond is not a romantic exciting man. He is narrow-minded and controlling; he raised his daughter to bend entirely to his will and he expected his wife to conform to his dictates as well, acting as an ornament to his pride rather than as an independent person. He also wanted her money. The first part of the novel covers her interactions with people and her decision to marry. The pulls of her own spirit versus her perceived duty to her husband define the second part, ending with her decision to remain with her husband.
I chose this as the book considered one of James's earliest masterpieces. I was hoping that it would be fairly accessible, which I found it to be and that the style wouldn't be too radical. I think I've read that James went very extreme in later books but maybe not yet? I will need to read more of him before I can decide. Any recommendations?
I feel completely unable to embark on a full analysis of James's style but I can mention some things I noticed. There were many instances where a single paragraph would take up a page or even two; there would just be pages and pages of lingering descriptions of Isabel and those around her. As the story progressed though, there was more dialogue and less of a focus on Isabel. Instead there were (seemingly) peripheral events described. Important events are skipped over such as the actual marriage of Isabel and Osmond and the birth and death of their child while seemingly insignificant conversations are recorded. The book is narrated by an omniscient narrator, who occasionally inserts himself into the book using "I." While the narrator knows more than the reader, he doles out that bit of knowledge sparingly.
I am glad that I am already familiar with some of the old-fashioned mores and standards or I would have found them even more bewildering. For example, Isabel is determined to not share her unhappiness in marriage with anyone. She will not consider leaving her husband despite his brutality and the encouragement of friends. This could seem bizarre under current standards but this book is from the late nineteenth century with upper-class continental Europeans, a vastly different society. Even so, there were some frustrating moments.
There were still several upsetting moments for me. First that Isabel threw away possible happiness with Goodwood in favor of her ill-advised attachment to Osmond. She denied the idea that the slightly sinister Madame Merle influenced her marriage before finally realizing that it was so. The other upsetting instant revolved around Pansy Osmond, the daughter of Osmond who he has trained to obey, kind of like a dog. She represses her independent thoughts and gives up her love because it does not please her father's pride. While Isabel returns to her husband, it seems to stem partly from her promise to love and watch over Pansy. However I fear that both women will continue to suffer under Osmond's thumb, leaving a tragic pall over the conclusion.
There's so much more to discuss but I'm going to stop now with my Overall: A surprisingly accessible example of Henry James's prose; I am eager to read more of his work.
Some how, I think this must have functioned as the original for 500 Days of Summer. Granted, it's a little topsy-turvy convoluted, but all the main components are there: desirable, thoughtful, hip young woman in a new place who seems fundamentally unable to make up her mind and then chooses something utterly unexpected (and potentially wrong, but in the case of 500 Days of Summer we're only filled in up to the Mr. Osmond part of the story).
But, parallels aside, this was a fabulous book. I love when you read completely timeless classics--books that, despite the asides on gloves, bustles and using the expression "making love" to basically mean (from what I can tell,) speaking with slightly lusty, far-off intentions," the over-all plot works pretty well in modern-day life, plot line: everything.
Because I was throughly engaged in the book and the story and characters were good--every single one of them, I'm giving five stars. And I mean every single one of them. However, that doesn't mean I wasn't disappointed in Isabel. Frankly, she was smarter than that and by the end of the book it was impossible to like her, but, that's not Henry James fault. On the contrary, the fact that I was so enraged with Isabel only proves his abilities as a writer.
The book was a little long for the slap-your-forehead mystery it turned out to be, but still--fantastic. Just how fantastic, you ask? Well, I just paid 17 dollars to buy the DVD on ebay, because apparently it's no longer being made, but it's going to be worth it because I can't get the story out of my head.
The totally relatable plot tells the story of Isabel, a young, poor, but stylish gal from Albany, who's found by her estranged aunt and taken back to England. Once settled at garden court, Isabel finds that absolutely everyone (pants AND skirts, here), love her and find her utterly charming. Friend, potential mate, you name it, Isabel Archer's name is on everyone's lips.
In nearly every chapter we're faced with young men throwing their hearts Isabel's way, but each time she flatly denies them--she's much more interested in seeing Europe, living her life and continuing to develop her sense of self. We watch Isabel turn down a wealthy, forward-thinking nobleman (who's actually a pretty nice fellow), as well as her former, stubborn, manly Bostonian beau--and then we're whisked to Italy, where Isabel meets a new, older, slightly mysterious man with a nearly grown daughter.
Though Isabel's intentions are always good, she is young, and, because her uncle has suddenly left her money at the request of her invalid cousin, Ralph (also, in case you're wondering, in love with Isabel)--she essentially gets "played," though hardly in the typical sense.
In true Victorian fashion, Isabel is duped by her "good intentions," if nothing else, following subtle push of her "mentor," Madame Meryl. It seems, though Isabel planned to stay on her own, her money makes her too desirable for her own good, and suddenly people are literally "plotting" to marry her.
As fore mentioned, the plot is timeless, and despite the overwhelming Victorian language, you feel for Isabel, because she's a universally well-written character. In true James fashion, you never do get that modern day "ENOUGH," sort of retaliation, which is a tantalizing little view of how women's roles in real life, and function in literature, have evolved in the last 100 years--but, rest assured, it's still very, very interesting. A bouquet of pansies can become sensual--and in the end, you FEEL the way the other characters must--because it's just a really GOOD book. Just the way Dick Van Dyke never stops being funny--James novels never stop being a social commentary on women.
But, parallels aside, this was a fabulous book. I love when you read completely timeless classics--books that, despite the asides on gloves, bustles and using the expression "making love" to basically mean (from what I can tell,) speaking with slightly lusty, far-off intentions," the over-all plot works pretty well in modern-day life, plot line: everything.
Because I was throughly engaged in the book and the story and characters were good--every single one of them, I'm giving five stars. And I mean every single one of them. However, that doesn't mean I wasn't disappointed in Isabel. Frankly, she was smarter than that and by the end of the book it was impossible to like her, but, that's not Henry James fault. On the contrary, the fact that I was so enraged with Isabel only proves his abilities as a writer.
The book was a little long for the slap-your-forehead mystery it turned out to be, but still--fantastic. Just how fantastic, you ask? Well, I just paid 17 dollars to buy the DVD on ebay, because apparently it's no longer being made, but it's going to be worth it because I can't get the story out of my head.
The totally relatable plot tells the story of Isabel, a young, poor, but stylish gal from Albany, who's found by her estranged aunt and taken back to England. Once settled at garden court, Isabel finds that absolutely everyone (pants AND skirts, here), love her and find her utterly charming. Friend, potential mate, you name it, Isabel Archer's name is on everyone's lips.
In nearly every chapter we're faced with young men throwing their hearts Isabel's way, but each time she flatly denies them--she's much more interested in seeing Europe, living her life and continuing to develop her sense of self. We watch Isabel turn down a wealthy, forward-thinking nobleman (who's actually a pretty nice fellow), as well as her former, stubborn, manly Bostonian beau--and then we're whisked to Italy, where Isabel meets a new, older, slightly mysterious man with a nearly grown daughter.
Though Isabel's intentions are always good, she is young, and, because her uncle has suddenly left her money at the request of her invalid cousin, Ralph (also, in case you're wondering, in love with Isabel)--she essentially gets "played," though hardly in the typical sense.
In true Victorian fashion, Isabel is duped by her "good intentions," if nothing else, following subtle push of her "mentor," Madame Meryl. It seems, though Isabel planned to stay on her own, her money makes her too desirable for her own good, and suddenly people are literally "plotting" to marry her.
As fore mentioned, the plot is timeless, and despite the overwhelming Victorian language, you feel for Isabel, because she's a universally well-written character. In true James fashion, you never do get that modern day "ENOUGH," sort of retaliation, which is a tantalizing little view of how women's roles in real life, and function in literature, have evolved in the last 100 years--but, rest assured, it's still very, very interesting. A bouquet of pansies can become sensual--and in the end, you FEEL the way the other characters must--because it's just a really GOOD book. Just the way Dick Van Dyke never stops being funny--James novels never stop being a social commentary on women.
this was really good and I enjoyed carrying my tiny charity shop pocket edition copy around with me for a month. I want to say I like henry james now but this has been less of a sudden reversal and more of a slow maturing into it. I like henry james' approach to fiction and storytelling.
Isabel's fate, especially in contrast to the one she had felt she would follow, felt so classically tragic and yet it never fully stops her and locks her into the shape of a classic tragic heroine. Her interiority is both the central subject of the novel and often almost occluded or revealed as silent conclusion. The same thing I used to find kind of irritating about james' prose (that he is economical to a fault without ever being direct) I, by now, really appreciate.
Isabel's fate, especially in contrast to the one she had felt she would follow, felt so classically tragic and yet it never fully stops her and locks her into the shape of a classic tragic heroine. Her interiority is both the central subject of the novel and often almost occluded or revealed as silent conclusion. The same thing I used to find kind of irritating about james' prose (that he is economical to a fault without ever being direct) I, by now, really appreciate.
Okay. I've bored myself enough. Got to around page 300 and decided to call it quits. I think, after you've read George Eliot, all other late Victorian psychologically-oriented novels are just downhill from there. So, goodbye plucky, headstrong, American Isabel Archer, and good luck with that whole European society thing.
I read ~150 pages and just didn't have it in me to finish the 400 some left. It just wasn't something I looked forward to reading.
As I read, I would have said I understood every word, but at the end I wondered if I'd gotten it at all. I need to read some criticism, I think, to really get my mind around it.
I relished the experience of this 'history', as the narrator calls it, from the commitment to character development (through the continually surprising persistence of the characters themselves) to the delicately cogent syntax and description. The ending, though, took it down a notch for me. It felt unexpectedly cheap.
Interesting in some ways, but in the end, a disappointment-not worth the hard work.
One of my top books of all time. The story of Isabel Archer, and the decisions, some of which are puzzling at first, she makes in life and in love are powerful lessons.