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The Portrait of a Lady
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The Portrait of a Lady Mass market paperbound - 2007

by Henry James; Introduction by Regina Barreca; Afterword by Colm Toibin

Spirited, beautiful young American Isabel Archer journeys to Europe to, in modern terms, "find herself." But what she finds there may prove to be her undoing, especially when an infinitely sophisticated lady plots against her.


About this book

The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James was initially published as a serial in Macmillan's Magazine (UK) and The Atlantic Monthly (US) in 1880–81. The story tells of a spirited young American woman, Isabel Archer  — arguably one of Miller’s most memorable characters — as she affronts her destiny only to find it overwhelming. The Portrait of a Lady is James’ most popular novel and is regarded by critics as one of his finest, exploring his characteristic theme of conflict between American individualism and European social custom.

Summary

Spirited, beautiful young American Isabel Archer journeys to Europe to, in modern terms, "find herself." But what she finds there may prove to be her undoing, especially when an infinitely sophisticated lady plots against her.

From the publisher

The Portrait of a Lady is Henry James's classic novel featuring the strong and spirited Isabel Archer, the embodiment of women's independence and strength. The heroine of this powerful novel, often considered James's greatest work, is the vivacious young American Isabel Archer. Blessed by nature and fortune, she journeys to Europe to seek the full realization of her potential--or in modern terms, "to find herself"--but what awaits her there may prove to be her undoing. During her journey, wooers vie for her attentions, including an English aristocrat, a perfect American gentleman, and a sensitive expatriate. But it is only after the ingenue falls prey to the schemes of an infinitely sophisticated older woman that her life takes on its true form. With its brilliant interplay of tensions and characters, The Portrait of a Lady is a timeless and essential American novel. With an Introduction by Regina Barreca
and an Afterword by Colm Tibn

First Edition Identification

Though most generally considered The Portrait of a Lady to have been published simultaneously in the United Kingdom and the United States, controversy surrounds the true publication history. Macmillan (London) published the first UK edition of the book in three volumes in November 1881, just as the story was concluding its run in the eponymous house monthly magazine. However, Macmillan’s second edition — its first single-volume edition — was not published until June 1882. In the mean time, Houghton, Mifflin, and Company (Boston) published the first US and first single-volume edition, which became available on November 16, 1881, though the date on the title page states 1882.

Details

  • Title The Portrait of a Lady
  • Author Henry James; Introduction by Regina Barreca; Afterword by Colm Toibin
  • Binding Mass Market Paperbound
  • Edition Reissue
  • Pages 640
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Signet Book
  • Date 2007-07-03
  • Features Bibliography, Price on Product - Canadian
  • ISBN 9780451530523 / 0451530527
  • Weight 0.64 lbs (0.29 kg)
  • Dimensions 6.8 x 4.28 x 1.07 in (17.27 x 10.87 x 2.72 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Library of Congress subjects Italy, Psychological fiction
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2008273308
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

About the author

Henry James (1843-1916) spent his early life in America but often traveled with his celebrated family to Europe. After briefly attending Harvard, he began to contribute both criticism and tales to magazines. Later, he visited Europe and began Roderick Hudson. Late in 1875, he settled in Paris, where he met Turgenev, Flaubert, and Zola and wrote The American. In 1876, he moved to London, where two years later he achieved international fame with Daisy Miller. His other famous works include The Portrait of a Lady (1881), The Princess Casamassma (1886), The Wings of the Dove (1902), and The Golden Bowl (1904). In 1915, a few months before his death, he became a British subject. Regina Barreca, professor of English literature and feminist theory at the University of Connecticut, has edited numerous books, including Make Mine a Double, The Signet Book of American Humor, and Don't Tell Mama: The Penguin Book of Italian American Writing. She has written nine books, including Babes in Boyland, It's Not That I'm Bitter, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying About Visible Panty Lines and Conquered the World and They Used to Call Me Snow White. . . But I Drifted. She writes a weekly column for the Hartford Courant which is distributed nationally, and also writes regularly for such publications as the New York Times, Cosmopolitan, Psychology Today, the Chronicle of Higher Education, and the Huffington Post and has appeared, often as a repeat guest, on 20/20, 48 Hours, and Today. Colm Tibn's acclaimed novels include The South (shortlisted for the Whitbread First Novel Award and winner of the Irish Times/Aer Lingus First Fiction Award), The Blackwater Lightship (shortlisted for the IMPAC Dublin Prize and the Man Booker Prize), The Master (Dublin IMPAC Prize; the Prix du Meilleur Livre; the LA Times Novel of the Year), Brooklyn (Costa Novel of the Year), Nora Webster, and The Testament of Mary. His nonfiction works include All a Novelist Needs: Essays on Henry James, Bad Blood: A Walk Along the Irish Border, and The Sign of the Cross: Travels in Catholic Europe. Editor of The Penguin Book of Irish Fiction, he is a regular contributor to the New York Review of Books and a contributing editor at the London Review of Books.
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The Portrait of a Lady (Signet Classics)
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The Portrait of a Lady (Signet Classics)

by James, Henry

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The Portrait of a Lady (Signet Classics)
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The Portrait of a Lady (Signet Classics)

by James, Henry; Barreca, Regina [Introduction]; Toibin, Colm [Afterword];

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The Portrait of a Lady (Signet Classics)

by James, Henry; Barreca, Regina [Introduction]; Toibin, Colm [Afterword];

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The Portrait of a Lady (Signet Classics)
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The Portrait of a Lady (Signet Classics)

by James, Henry

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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The Portrait of a Lady
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The Portrait of a Lady

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The Portrait of a Lady
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The Portrait of a Lady

by James, Henry

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780451530523 / 0451530527
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Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
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The Portrait of a Lady (Signet Classics)
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The Portrait of a Lady (Signet Classics)

by James, Henry; Barreca, Regina [Introduction]; Toibin, Colm [Afterword];

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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The Portrait of a Lady
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The Portrait of a Lady

by James, Henry

  • Used
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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The Portrait of A Lady (Signet Classics)
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The Portrait of A Lady (Signet Classics)

by Henry James; Introduction-Regina Barreca; Afterword-Colm Toibin

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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