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The Portrait of a Lady (Thrift Edition)
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The Portrait of a Lady (Thrift Edition) Paperback - 2006

by Henry James


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

Isabel Archer, a young American, accompanies her eccentric aunt to Europe, where her wit and beauty -- in addition to her substantial inheritance -- quickly attract all manner of eager suitors. But beneath the romantic elegance of salons and ballrooms lies a tangle of treachery, deceit, and suffering.
The most enduringly popular of Henry James' novels, The Portrait of a Lady reflects the author's interest in the contrast between the Old and New Worlds. He traces Isabel's progress across England, Paris, Florence, and Rome with trenchant observations on customs and attitudes. The heroine's difficulties in reconciling her personal liberty with social propriety express James' shrewd appraisals of the naivete and nobility of the American character, as well as his views on the subtle refinements and conventionality of European culture. A gripping exploration of the clash between freedom and responsibility, this novel offers an accessible entree into the work of Henry James.

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 (Thrift Edition)
  • Author Henry James
  • Binding Paperback
  • Pages 496
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Dover Publications, Mineola, New York, USA
  • Date July 14, 2006
  • ISBN 9780486452418

About the author

American author Henry James (1843-1916) spent most of his career in Europe and ultimately adopted British citizenship. A prolific writer of criticism, biography, and travel-related books and articles, James is known above all for his highly influential novels, which frequently explore the clash of Old and New World cultures.

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The portrait of a lady
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The portrait of a lady

by Henry James

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The Portrait of a Lady (Thrift Edition)
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The Portrait of a Lady (Thrift Edition)

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Mineola, New York, USA: Dover Publications, 2006. Paperback. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7? - 9?" tall. Trade Paperback in Very Good Condition. Complete and Unabridged. First published 1881. Clean and unmarked cover with illustration: "Portrait of Miss F", c. 1910. Ernest Major. Cover design by Jeff A. Menges. Light wear to extremities. No creases. Soundly bound, square . Interior clean, unmarked. American classic fiction. This most popular of Henry James' novels reflects his interest in the contrast between the Old and New Worlds. He traces Isabel Archer's progress across England, Paris, Florence and Rome, with keen observations about customs and attitudes. The heroine's difficulties in reconciling her personal liberty with social propriety expresses the naivete and nobility of the American character as well as his views on the refinements and conventions of European culture. Dover (2006) unabridged republication of the New York Edition of the work published in 1908… Read More
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