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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
Isabel Archer is modern and clever; she wants to see the world and experience life rather than get tied down in a dull, conventional marriage.
But her would-be suitors behave like creepy stalkers, and she’s unable to politely shake them. So she falls prey to the enigmatic narcissist Gilbert Osmond by mistaking his lack of overbearing romantic gestures as a welcome change when it is really an unfortunate omen of unhappiness to come.
I enjoyed the heft and depth of this book, though I found it quite depressing. I can’t imagine an alternate decision/afterword that would lead to happiness for Isabel.
But her would-be suitors behave like creepy stalkers, and she’s unable to politely shake them. So she falls prey to the enigmatic narcissist Gilbert Osmond by mistaking his lack of overbearing romantic gestures as a welcome change when it is really an unfortunate omen of unhappiness to come.
I enjoyed the heft and depth of this book, though I found it quite depressing. I can’t imagine an alternate decision/afterword that would lead to happiness for Isabel.
The struggle of an woman trying to remain happy and independent, while being in a loveless marriage. In another century... so different than marriages today?... .
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
don’t read this book if you want to be put into an endless reading slump. did that and i am regretting my life choices because now i have no motivation to read the books that i want to read.
it has a very promising premise but the execution is just so ass. henry james has no idea on what “show not tell is”. we are always told that isabel is this strong independent woman but the only thing that shows for that is the fact that she doesn’t want to get married and wants to travel (which is only what she says). she doesn’t really do anything that is riveting, in fact, henrietta is everything that james’ says about isabel (with actual development too, though i didn’t like like her for the whole caspar nonsense).
i don’t feel like talking about the other characters but they’re all insufferable too, especially in the second half of the book. if i talk more about this book i’ll end up running into traffic. what a 600 page waste of time.
it has a very promising premise but the execution is just so ass. henry james has no idea on what “show not tell is”. we are always told that isabel is this strong independent woman but the only thing that shows for that is the fact that she doesn’t want to get married and wants to travel (which is only what she says). she doesn’t really do anything that is riveting, in fact, henrietta is everything that james’ says about isabel (with actual development too, though i didn’t like like her for the whole caspar nonsense).
i don’t feel like talking about the other characters but they’re all insufferable too, especially in the second half of the book. if i talk more about this book i’ll end up running into traffic. what a 600 page waste of time.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first half of the book was enjoyable to read, but by the second half the characters became boring and the plot was really dragging. It picked up a little at the very end, but overall i wasn't very impressed.
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took me half a year to finish this book, but it’s one of those that has stayed with me since my English undergrad days. It’s a story I’ve longed to revisit. Few books have quotes I’m compelled to save on my phone, but this is one of them. Returning to it after eight years was both painful and poignant—just as rewarding as the first time I read it.
That said, it's a long, demanding read that can feel slow at times. But every page is worth it for the way the dialogue cuts through and lingers in my thoughts long after I’ve turned the page.
*The Portrait of a Lady* by Henry James tells the story of Isabel Archer, a young American woman with independent spirit who is introduced to European high society. After inheriting a large fortune, Isabel becomes entangled in complex relationships. The novel explores themes of freedom, self-determination, and the consequences of choices.
A quote I liked in particular that I think speaks to Isabel’s self determination: “She had long before this taken old Rome into her confidence, for in a world of ruins, the ruin of her happiness seemed a less unnatural catastrophe. She rested her awareness upon things that had crumbled for centuries, and yet we’re still upright. She dropped her secret sadness into the silence of lonely places, where it’s very modern quality, detached itself and crew objective, so that as she sat in the sun-warmed angle on a winters day, or stood in a mouldy church to which no one came, she could almost smile at it and think of it smallness.”
While reading The Portrait of A Lady, I kept thinking, this is a book that should be illustrated by John Singer Sargent. There is an opulence, a lushness and attention to detail here so in tune with the painter's work, and, too, there is a distance, a slight chasm between the subject and the audience.
I won't summarize the plot, but for such a long book, I have to say, I was engaged and interested the whole time. Despite several characters' slight frostiness, the scenery was almost a character in itself, and I was fascinated to read about the expats in Italy and England, and enjoyed James' descriptively fluent language. Ralph was by far my favorite character, and I definitely think James did his best work in developing him and fleshing him out. I heard that in this novel, James was trying to accurately portray the way a woman felt, really considering her psyche and not just her veneer. In this, I am not certain he succeeded, as Isabelle never truly felt developed to me. Complex, yes, but somehow not quite like a real person. This book really raises interesting questions about the roles of women, cultural differences, and significantly, distinctions between the classes, particularly for women. He does a nice job in showing us characters from different generations and backgrounds and pushing them all together on one stage. It's one of those books I think will stay with me for a long time. The way everything was described, the nuances and attention to details just painted such an intense image.
This was only my second book by Henry James, but I have already bought The Europeans and The Wings of the Dove, which is probably the most telling testament regarding my reception of this novel. Like Edith Wharton, it's sort of a slow burn, but one I won't be quick to forget.
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
I won't summarize the plot, but for such a long book, I have to say, I was engaged and interested the whole time. Despite several characters' slight frostiness, the scenery was almost a character in itself, and I was fascinated to read about the expats in Italy and England, and enjoyed James' descriptively fluent language. Ralph was by far my favorite character, and I definitely think James did his best work in developing him and fleshing him out. I heard that in this novel, James was trying to accurately portray the way a woman felt, really considering her psyche and not just her veneer. In this, I am not certain he succeeded, as Isabelle never truly felt developed to me. Complex, yes, but somehow not quite like a real person. This book really raises interesting questions about the roles of women, cultural differences, and significantly, distinctions between the classes, particularly for women. He does a nice job in showing us characters from different generations and backgrounds and pushing them all together on one stage. It's one of those books I think will stay with me for a long time. The way everything was described, the nuances and attention to details just painted such an intense image.
This was only my second book by Henry James, but I have already bought The Europeans and The Wings of the Dove, which is probably the most telling testament regarding my reception of this novel. Like Edith Wharton, it's sort of a slow burn, but one I won't be quick to forget.
Find more reviews and bookish fun at http://www.princessandpen.com
Classic James. Brilliant. Subtle, psychological, with such graceful writing.