The Portrait of A Lady by HENRY JAMES [Paperback]

About the Book:

The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James follows the life of Isabel Archer, a young, independent American woman who travels to Europe and becomes entangled in complex relationships and social expectations. Determined to explore life and assert her own freedom, Isabel inherits a large fortune, only to find herself ensnared by the manipulative schemes of two American expatriates. Through her journey, James examines themes of personal freedom, betrayal, and the profound challenges of self-determination, set against the cultural contrasts between America and Europe. This novel, often regarded as a masterpiece of James’s early work, captures the clash between New World innocence and Old World sophistication.

About the Author:

Henry James (1843–1916) was an American-born British author celebrated for his exploration of the social and emotional complexities of the upper class. A transitional figure between realism and modernism, James was known for his richly layered characters and the psychological depth he brought to his writing. His most acclaimed works, including The Portrait of a Lady, The Ambassadors, and The Wings of the Dove, focus on the intricate social and marital relationships between Americans and Europeans. In his later works, he employed a unique narrative style that mirrored impressionist art, highlighting the ambiguity and subjectivity of his characters' inner lives.