60 pages • 2 hours read
Henry JamesThe Portrait of a Lady
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1881A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Portrait of a Lady follows Isabel Archer, a young American woman determined to maintain her freedom, who travels to Europe. She rejects two suitors but inherits a fortune, leading to her manipulation by Madame Merle and Gilbert Osmond. Isabel marries Osmond and later grapples with her unhappiness and her choices, eventually facing a decision about returning to him or seeking her own path.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Henry James' The Portrait of a Lady garners acclaim for its intricate character development and poignant exploration of personal freedom. Critics laud James' masterful prose and deep psychological insight. However, some find the novel's pacing slow and its ending anticlimactic. Overall, it remains a significant work in the literary canon for its rich narrative and complex themes.
Who Should Read The Portrait of a Lady?
Ideal for readers who relish intricate character studies and social mores, The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James will captivate those who appreciate psychological depth and moral ambiguity. Fans of Middlemarch by George Eliot or Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy may find parallels in its rich exploration of personal freedom and societal constraints.