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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
A pleasure to know Isabel Archer. Character study novel in which the plot is mostly fairly mundane but when you get to really know the characters when they resonate with you, the personal crises they go through become fascinating because they are like people you know. It has that lovely fly on the wall appeal. However, it takes an immense talent to create vivid and vibrant characters that the readers would care about; this is a gift Henry James seems to have in abundance.
Found the plot really dull. The writing was alright but not compelling enough to convince me to read a few hundred pages of it when there isn't anything interesting going on either.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
probably one of my favorite classics i have ever read. the sum of my reaction is: bro
Where does one begin? Henry James weaved the story of American literary heroine Isabel Archer as she departs, somewhat against her wishes, from America to Europe. Paralleling her journey throughout Europe, greeting a few new people who remain in the story throughout, is the journey through this young woman's life and her aptitude for choosing only the options that are most adverse, and possibly toxic.
A long winded book, the complexity is akin to the weaving that Tolstoy is also known to have in his verbose stories. Not quite as long as say "Anna Karenina", but nevertheless a sturdy 480 some pages makes good use to bring the reader from a young single girl in America as she ages profusely, mostly aged by the troubles of her choices, to the marriage she falls into six years after her arrival in Europe.
As many novels of this era, set in the 1880's, it allows us to delve, in a voyeuristic fashion, into Isabel's world. We first meet her uncle, aunt and cousins upon her arrival in England, and throughout she is supported in a bluntly honest fashion by her author friend, Henrietta who hails from America and knows Isabel's history prior to her setting foot in England.
Isabel is curious, imaginative, and intelligent. She possesses purity amidst an age where women were loosening up. Dressed still in her own dubious qualities, they were much more innocent than most. Her innocence seemed to be the center of intrigue for the gentlemen, yes plural, that couldn't stop thinking or calling on her.
Unlike a good Austen story, we don't end in happiness. In fact, the biggest shock and complaint amongst readers of "Portrait of a Lady" is that James leaves you on a cliff hanger. By cliff hanger I mean totally. It's as if he just stopped. I put the book down and sort of, maybe, totally yelled at imaginary Henry James for doing that to all the hundreds of thousands of people who've read and fallen in love with this story. What happens next?!
A consolation is that this version gives the reader some insight into the post-production of this story. There are implications to how things went, but truly, in general, the only true consolation is that you can create your own ending if you please. I'm going to do just that because right now I cannot handle the fact that I have no idea what the heck happens next.
A long winded book, the complexity is akin to the weaving that Tolstoy is also known to have in his verbose stories. Not quite as long as say "Anna Karenina", but nevertheless a sturdy 480 some pages makes good use to bring the reader from a young single girl in America as she ages profusely, mostly aged by the troubles of her choices, to the marriage she falls into six years after her arrival in Europe.
As many novels of this era, set in the 1880's, it allows us to delve, in a voyeuristic fashion, into Isabel's world. We first meet her uncle, aunt and cousins upon her arrival in England, and throughout she is supported in a bluntly honest fashion by her author friend, Henrietta who hails from America and knows Isabel's history prior to her setting foot in England.
Isabel is curious, imaginative, and intelligent. She possesses purity amidst an age where women were loosening up. Dressed still in her own dubious qualities, they were much more innocent than most. Her innocence seemed to be the center of intrigue for the gentlemen, yes plural, that couldn't stop thinking or calling on her.
Unlike a good Austen story, we don't end in happiness. In fact, the biggest shock and complaint amongst readers of "Portrait of a Lady" is that James leaves you on a cliff hanger. By cliff hanger I mean totally. It's as if he just stopped. I put the book down and sort of, maybe, totally yelled at imaginary Henry James for doing that to all the hundreds of thousands of people who've read and fallen in love with this story. What happens next?!
A consolation is that this version gives the reader some insight into the post-production of this story. There are implications to how things went, but truly, in general, the only true consolation is that you can create your own ending if you please. I'm going to do just that because right now I cannot handle the fact that I have no idea what the heck happens next.
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars. I don't know how to feel after that ending!
After must pestering and persistence I have finished and now know what happened. Best drawn James character ever.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No