The Portrait of a Lady: Henry James (Penguin Clothbound Classics) - Hardcover

James, Henry

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0141394668 ISBN 13: 9780141394664

Publisher: Penguin Classics, 2014

Synopsis

Henry James's great masterpiece, now in a stunning Penguin clothbound edition designed by the acclaimed Coralie Bickford-Smith.

When Isabel Archer, a beautiful, spirited American, is brought to Europe by her wealthy aunt Touchett, it is expected that she will soon marry. But Isabel, resolved to enjoy her freedom, does not hesitate to turn down two eligible suitors. Then she finds herself irresistibly drawn to Gilbert Osmond. Charming and cultivated, Osmond sees Isabel as a rich prize waiting to be taken. In this portrait of a 'young woman affronting her destiny', Henry James created one of his most magnificent heroines, and a story of intense poignancy.

This edition is based on the earliest published copy of the novel: this is the version that was read first and loved by most readers in James's lifetime. It also includes an introduction, notes and other editorial materials by leading James scholar Philip Horne.

Henry James was born in 1843 in Washington Place, New York, of Scottish and Irish ancestry. In addition to many short stories, plays, books of criticism, autobiography and travel, he wrote some twenty novels, the first published being Roderick Hudson (1875). They include The Europeans, Washington Square, The Portrait of a Lady, The Bostonians, The Princess Casamassima, The Tragic Muse, The Spoils of Poynton, The Awkward Age, The Wings of the Dove, The Ambassadors and The Golden Bowl.

Philip Horne is Professor of English at University College London.

About this title

Review:

"Wanda McCaddon's distinguished British accent provides a smooth narration of one of Henry James's most-loved novels." ---AudioFile

""Wanda McCaddon's distinguished British accent provides a smooth narration of one of Henry James's most-loved novels."" ---AudioFile

"The Portrait of a Lady" is entirely successful in giving one the sense of having met somebody far too radiantly good for this world. Rebecca West"

The Portrait of a Lady is entirely successful in giving one the sense of having met somebody far too radiantly good for this world. Rebecca West"

"The Portrait of a Lady is entirely successful in giving one the sense of having met somebody far too radiantly good for this world."--Rebecca West

From the Publisher:

Isabel Archer has been brought to England from Albany, New York, by her Aunt Touchett to extend her education, possibly to marry well.

Isabel, proud and independent, has other ideas. She has no desire to marry and wishes to create her own future, rather than finding it as a wife. Consequently she refuses two very eligible suitors: Lord Warburton and Caspar Goodwood, who has followed her to Europe from America.

When her uncle Lord Touchett dies, leaving Isabel a fortune, he unwittingly does her a great disservice, for on a visit to Italy she is introduced by Madame Merle to Gilbert Osmond. Osmond is a charming but worthless dilettante who sees Isabel as a beautiful prize, a mother for his daughter Pansy, and a source of easily attained wealth. From his cruel cynicism comes Isabel's tragic disillusionment.

In his exquisitely crafted and deeply ironic novel, Henry James depicts the heart and soul of a young woman whose destiny is taken from her own hands.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 0141394668
• ISBN 13: 9780141394664
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 768