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    The Portrait of a Lady
    The Portrait of a Lady
    The Portrait of a Lady
    Audiobook26 hours

    The Portrait of a Lady

    Written by Henry James

    Narrated by Juliet Stevenson

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    The Portrait of a Lady tells the compelling and ultimately tragic tale of a beautiful young American woman's encounter with European sophistication. Set principally in England and Italy, the story follows Isabel Archer's fortunes as a variety of admirers vie for her hand. Her choice will be crucial, and she is not wanting for advice, whether from the generous- spirited Ralph Touchett or the charming but rootless Madame Merle.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherNaxos Audiobooks
    Release dateOct 16, 2016
    ISBN9781843799566
    Author

    Henry James

    Henry James (1843–1916) was an American writer, highly regarded as one of the key proponents of literary realism, as well as for his contributions to literary criticism. His writing centres on the clash and overlap between Europe and America, and The Portrait of a Lady is regarded as his most notable work.

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    Reviews for The Portrait of a Lady

    4.5/5

    65 ratings5 reviews

    What our readers think

    Readers find this title to be a superb work of literature, with wonderful writing and impeccable performance by Juliet Stevenson. Although the ending is heart wrenching, the book explores the 19th-century novel style with active plotting and thick dialog. The main character may be vexingly obnoxious, but the nuanced life brought to the characters by Stevenson is incredible. The book ends on a senseless quasi-cliffhanger, but there is the idea of sacrifice and fulfillment of promises. Overall, this title is a must-read for literature enthusiasts.

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    • 4/5
      I didn't know if I would like this novel, but I am very glad I read it. Although the ending is heart wrenching it is a superb work of literature.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Amazing work equaled by a powerful narrator. Read along with Oxford edition that highlighted some of the editions between original printing and the revised New York Edition.
    • 5/5
      He is a wonderful writer The ending was bad
    • 5/5
      Truly an incredible performance by Juliet Stevenson, bringing SUCH specific and nuanced life to these characters.
    • 3/5
      Juliet Stephenson is impeccable, as always. James is not nearly the artist here that he was to become in later years with the last 4 novels. His plotting and dialog, though much more active and thick in this book than the more figural, interior landscape exploration of his later works, does not deliver the hearty rewards that a master of the popular (versus rarified) 19th century novel can (e.g. Balzac, Dickens, Hugo). His heroine is likely the most vexingly obnoxious, counterproductive poor judge of character that has ever strolled the pages of 19th C print. The tome drags on and on and ends on a senseless quasi- cliffhanger. At least there's the idea that she sacrifices herself to fulfill her promise to the child by going back to Rome.