Portrait of a Lady

Rating:
Summary: Victorian for 'chick flick'
Review: This book has me writhing under the shackles of my out-moded conception of masculinity- something akin to renting 'steel magnolias' and having a poker buddy walk in on me as I cry along with Olympia Dukakis. Really, how juvenile!

This is a melancholy tale of a strong young woman whose youthful liberty spoils in the improper refrigeration of a loveless marriage, leaving her bitter and stunted. As far as that goes, it is perfectly passable high-brow soap opera.

What lends this book greater import is its reification of the cultural calumny fomented at the interface between the U.S. and Europe. Mr. James gives a delectable account of the calamities that befall these interminglers. He's never heavy-handed about it, but at every turn our fiercely independent heroine runs afoul of the encrusted mores of the more traditional cultures in which she seeks her fortune.

While today's players on both sides of this well-trodden frontier are very different than they were in the 19th century, the conflicts are eerily corrolary. Each time G.W. Bush bumbles and stumbles into the ire of his continental counterparts, I can't help but think of Isabel Archer, falling into the deeply grooved patterns of the Europe of her day, despite her best efforts to sidestep them.

Rating:
Summary: Does One Dare Pan an Icon
Review: What can one say about an icon? Whether it be James, or narrator Bloom or publisher Penguin?

James's language is exquisite. His insight to character is superb. Bloom's voice is magisterial--one never misses a word. Penguin deserves credit for publishing a work that may be to the taste of very few.

Still, there are some problems.

1. Four tapes with no direction at the beginning of each tape makes for way too much fumbling at speeds over 40--and one is likely to be listening to these cassettes in the car. Those with vision problems will not be driving, but they'll certainly be struggling with getting these tapes into proper order.

2. How wonderful to know that strong-willed women didn't just bloom in the 1970s! Still, I for one, would like to see the end of this book rewritten for today's female audience. Poor Isabel Archer! She is such a product of her times not withstanding her adamant and rebellious little American soul. Poor little female reader of the new millennium! How this book could make our hearts sing if it could be updated.
I know. How could we possibly tamper with an icon? Should we? Would the public outcry be worth it? How could decades of art be dealt with so callously? I admit, I'd like to try.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of "This is the Place" --This text refers to the edition

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Nineteenth Century Literature
Review: Henry James is one of my favorite authors and "The Portrait of a Lady" is one of my favorite books. James is the only author who can begin a sentence and still have my complete attention when he finishes it two or even three pages later.

"The Portrait of a Lady" is filled with the long, rambling sentences for which James is so famous, but, as in his other books, these sentences remain interesting from the first word to the last. This is, however, definitely 19th century prose and the book is filled with sentences that begin with, "Dear Reader," or "Our heroine." While this might be very tiresome to some readers, in the hands of a writer as skillful as James, it has never bothered me one bit.

James loved to write about the wealthy people of the world, more specifically, those who needn't bother working for a living. He loved studying the way in which an excess of free time affected the choices they made. The characters created in "The Portrait of a Lady," are excellent examples of people who, perhaps, have too much time on their hands. Isobel Archer, in particular, makes some very questionable choices, then does nothing to correct them. Although likeable, she seems to be a character possessed of an ennui that's virtually unshakeable. Isobel not only refuses to to take action to correct her mistakes, she refuses to take responsibility for them at all. It seems as though the more time (and money) James' characters have, the less they make good use of either one.

If you're a reader who's not discouraged by 19th century literature and all its intricacies and convolutions, I think you'll find both Henry James and "The Portrait of a Lady" fascinating. I know I did.

Rating:
Summary: Timeless Classic
Review: This tale is of twisted love, twisted values, love, passion, selfishness and more. The characters are complex yet simple. The story spans England and America unravelling a delightful and compelling tale centered around one character. If you love the classics and the scenes painted from times go by you will love Henry James' The Portrait of a Lady.

Rating:
Summary: Faded
Review: As an undergraduate I was forced to read this pretentious soap opera masquerading as great literature. Call me philistine for naysaying James, the sacred cow of English Departments; nevertheless, I resented it then and an attempted re-reading now confirms my long ago first impression. To paraphrase Naipaul in another context: "life is too short." And to quote Crichton verbatim: "I hate James." However, I'll give him this: if he was writing to enrage his readers he succeeded entirely with this novel.

I don't know what I object to most: James's ludicrously mannered style, the totally irrelevant characters he too often chooses to inflict upon his readers or English professors who not only insist that he must be read but also worshipped. Why? Could anyone relate to Isabel Archer's smug richbitch--I haven't a clue and couldn't care less--attitude regarding the grim realities of the world when the book was first published? Can anyone relate to it now? So, who ever was its adoring audience? Who voluntarily paid cash for this stifling exercise in one inane woman's whining weltschmerz? Factory workers? Charwomen? Scullery maids? Miners? Union organizers? Anyone gainfully employed? Or was it then, as it is now, English Lit. professors buzzing effetely around the sheltered groves of academe who foisted the entire corpus of the ponderous Mr. James' work on the world?

In closing, I'll qualify this rant by mentioning that I liked both Washington Square and The Turn of the Screw. As to The Portrait of a Lady, read it--if you must--and decide for yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Freedom of choice
Review: One of the most over looked themes of the novel is the amount of freedom Henry James has given Isabel Archer to make her choices. She thinks it is romantic to suffer in being emotional abused by Gilbert Osmond. By allowing this to continue she has fallen into the trap of many battered wives who even when given the choice of leaving stay because it is a power battle between good and evil. By not going back she would of been giving in to Osmonds intimidation in her mind. Isabel has to be in control and can't cope with anyone who gets too near. She lacks the ability to cope wth the realities of real love and the sterile world of Osmond is a haven.

Perhaps Isabel is as sterile as Osmond as she shows very little affection to her friends or gratitude when they try to rescue her from his influences and she is prepared to sit back and allow his dominance of Pansy to take place.

Goodwood is kept hanging on and even Henrietta encourages him to not give up' just you wait', she echos as the loyal friend with hope for Isabel to change. Isabel may well leave Osmond but whether she has the emotional ability to live a happy life is very doubtful.

Rating:
Summary: Loved it.
Review: His style can be daunting to casual readers, but it's a great story of a young woman struggling to be independent in a society that doesn't really make room for it.

Rating:
Summary: I can relate
Review: Henry James amazes me on how well he can write about a woman and her inner self. This book portrays the struggles of a young woman and the challenges she has to face in life. Not sure of what she wants the wrong choices seem to be made. The books ending leaves the reader wondering if true love will finally find Isabel Archer in the form of Casper Goodwood. Hmmmmm....

Rating:
Summary: A great novel once you read it...
Review: Henry James is a genius when it comes to writing about American women in the 1800's. Although it is esteemed one of the greatest novels, I think that it should be condensed greatly. There were some parts that were very descriptive, but dragged on and on. If you have the patience like I do, by all means read this book!
The characters are amazing! Isabel Archer is a woman with a strong head on her shoulders. Ralph, her cousin, is trying so hard to get her to notice him. She also attracts the attention of three other bachelors, one who is attracted to her money. I agree with Stephen Koch, that this book is about dreams that do not come true. Exceptional read.

Rating:
Summary: England vs. America
Review: Since the beginning of time, man has fought for his country, his people, and his honor. While one man exhibits loyalty, another illustrates bias views for the love of his country. James Henry, a writer of early literature, portrays these arguments in his profound novel, The Portrait of a Lady, as well as many others. Within his own narration and the dialogues of several characters, he uses sarcasm and hasty generalizations to express the arguments of the superiority of America and Europe. Henry's extensive sarcasm boldy states ones bias views towards another country. He presents these remarks within the dialogues of several characters. Isabel Archer, the key role in the novel, retorts to Lord Warburton, an "Englishman", that if she had known how kind he was "to the poor savages", she would have brought her "native costume, war paint and feathers". This sarcastic remark ridicules the Lord for his inane cliche of the American culture and his lack of insight. Yet, another quote was addressed to Lord Warburton by an old friend of Miss Archer's, Henrietta Stackpole. Lord Warburton's sister had just requested to leave, where after he refused. Henrietta explains that, "in America the gentlemen obey the ladies". The cocky remark is thereafter followed by Lord Warburton's obedience to leave. Henrietta, pleased, exclaims that she had hoped he "would resist". She "wanted to see what Miss Molyneux", Warburton's sister, "would do". Her statements ridicule Warburton's and England's chivalry towards women. Henry's use of hasty generalizations also play an important role to produce opposing views towards one another's country. Mrs. Touchett, Isabel's aunt, states that most American girls think they know a great deal; "but like most American girls", they're "ridiculously mistaken". This generalization is an assumption made by Mrs. Touchett based primarily on her own personal opinion. We can assume from this statement, that she does not feel the same towards English women. Lord Warburton also makes a remark about Americans; "they are grossly superstitious" out "of all the people in the world". James Henry skillfully employs sarcasm and hasty generalizations to create logical arguments of superiority. These areguments, presented by Henry, create the image of one's respect and loyalty towards his/her native land.