Rating: 
Summary: Magnificent
Review: Henry James has arguably created one of the most dynamic heroines in literature. The complexity of Isabel Archer's character continues to provoke lively discussions in colleges and universities to this day. James' style is dense and rich with detail. This novel was written at a time when audiences weren't numbed by television and films and got their enjoyment from music, art and "high literature." James does not disappoint. The book depicts the life of one brilliant young woman who insists on living life on her own terms in spite of her restrictive society. This is a deep psychological probe and raises many questions regarding the role of women in the 19th century. A marvellous classic!
Rating:
Summary: Unbearable Lightness
Review: James is indeed the master of psychological characterization. I admit that such a statement is nearly a cliche. Yet, after almost fifteen years, I have come back to read this novel for a second time, and I have found the cliche a truism. Several adjectives could describe James's portrayal of such characters as Isabel Archer, Gilbert Osmond, or Madame Merle: light, fine, exquisite, ambiguous, tantalizingly discreet and uncertain, Chaucerian. A more heavy-handed analysis of character motivations, as in Faulkner or Dostoyevsky (admitted masters of such characterization), would only spoil the effect. This novel serves as the classic of James's early period and a worthy predecessor for the pondering of the psychologically more obscure characterizations of the late masterpieces-- "The Ambassadors," "The Wings of the Dove," and "The Golden Bowl."
Rating: 
Summary: ugh
Review: Maybe three stars would be a more fair rating....After all, who am I to "rate" a classic like Portrait of a Lady. We read what must have been an abridged version (Norton Critical Edition) in my freshman English class at college and I hated it. All that I could see was that Isabel Archer was this free-spirited person whose soul was being crushed by a pretentious, snobby Englishman. Unfortunately I have reacted to other Victorian fiction that way too, but I'm trying to improve.....Several months ago I made the monumental attempt of reading the novel again(unabridged) and it didn't seem quite as awful this time, but I still couldn't bring myself to read the whole thing. Two thirds through the book I began falling asleep every time I'd pick it up. Maybe when I'm eighty I'll have more patience and energy for Henry James, though truly, I did enjoy it this time, quite a bit more. I just couldn't stay awake long enough to finish it.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Amazing
Review: I read this novel about nine years ago, and I still find myself dealing with and sorting out various images and snatches of conversation from this razor-sharp work (literary post-traumatic stress disorder? the novel had THAT much of an impact on me!)The best Henry James novel I've thus far read, and one of the best three novels I've read in my life. It changed the way I read forever. Forget the movie - this is the real thing.
Rating: 
Summary: The Portrait of a Lady experimental and traditional novel
Review: Henry James - The Portrait of a Lady Henry James stands between the traditional and the experimental novel , his work having brought an important contribution to the development of modern fiction . In James`opinion there are as many ways of seeing life as there are people ,for each person builts his own universe from what he sees and above all according to the manner in which he perceives reality . That is why James prefers to render a multiplicity of subjective points of view allowing the reader to enter the minds of various characters in turn ; he tries to be objective . In the novels of the first period of his literary activity James undertakes the treatement of his favourite theme ,t. s the study of the relationships between the Americans and Europeans . The Portrait of a Lady The central figure of the novel is Isabel Archer .The presentation of her life is achieved in three structural blocks marked by a distinct period of time between them . The first part contains Isabel`s introduction to GARDENCOURT , herassertion of independence and her romantic conception of freedom . Some of the crucial events of her life take place now : her getting acquainted with Madame Merle ; Ralph`s persuading his father to leave Isabel a fortune ; her coming into this fortune on her uncle`s death . The central block presents Isabel in Italy and her accepting GILBERT OSMOND`s proposal of marriage . The third part -taking place 4 years after the marriage - shows Isabel reduced to representing her husband , reveals her final realization that she has not been a free agent , but has been handled by others who have determined her choices. Using the international theme , Joice analyses the effects of the difference between Europe and America upon the sensibility of the heroine . Isabel is determined to be free and create her own destiny ; her rejection of her two suitors ., Caspar Goodwood and Lord Warburton ,is an assertion of her independent will . But she lacks experience , she does not know the world and is unable to judje people correctly , she is simple in a world of sophistication and conventionalism . Her aunt is the person who starts her adventure by introducing her to the world and her from her dull but safe provincial American life . The person who actually ruins Isabel`s life and hopes are Madame Merle and Gilbert Osmond . Content with the independence that Isabel`s money gives him , Osmond imposes an aesthetic pattern of life , reducing Isabel to a work of art in his collection . At the same time , by contrast are empasised the superior moral qualities of Ralph . Acquainted with both the european and american way of life , Ralph may be considered a product of both , for he has preserved the american independence of mind and imagination , also acquairing the European rafinement and sophistication . His invalid state confines Ralph to being a nere spectator of the spectacle of life ; that is why his love for Isabel changes into brotherly feelings . He oversees and interpret Isabel`s activities , but he is also an initiator for her , introducing her to the old world`s sophistication . He tries to wern her against Osmond , but she will take no advice . In the last part , where Isabel hides her unhappiness Ralph can only be a silent witness of her suffering . His death is seen by Isabel as an expression of his inability to face the dreadfulness of her situation .
Rating:
Summary: one of the most romantic books i've ever read!
Review: To me this book is worth reading just for the wonderful romance between Isabel and her cousin. It's completely platonic which makes it even more touching. Ralph is smart, funny, self-deprecating, and wonderful! He "loves Isabel, but without hope" and he has the sweetest lines you'll ever read! The ending made me cry...read it if only for the scenes with Ralph.
Rating: 
Summary: My review
Review: This is the first book I have read by Henry James and I was really impressed. I chose this book for my junior AP English research project because I thought it sounded interesting. When I realized how long the book was I thought I would regret my choice. Once I started reading, it was a little hard to get into because the first few chapters were really slow but after I got past those chapters the plot got really interesting and went by really quickly. I really enjoyed this novel because it dealt with a woman's struggle for independence in the 1800s and has strong characters. The novel tells the story of Isable Archer, a young American girl who had nothing, whose expatriate Aunt, Mrs. Touchett, comes and takes her to Europe so that she can become known in society and find a husband. While in Europe Miss Archer meets many people and has many suitors but struggles to keep her independence. The characters play an important role in creating the story. Henry James did a wonderful job of developing them to such depth that at some times I even felt like I actually knew what the characters were thinking. The characters are very complex and every few chapters there is a twist and the reader is completely deceived which is what makes the novel so unique. I also like the characters because they really seemed real, not just fictional and I know people who are like the characters. The novel is well written and filled with similes, metaphors, light imagery and color that contribute to the ironic tone. I recommend this book to every woman but I don't think that men would find the subject as appealing.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful, Heart-rending, Poignant, and Tragic
Review: Henry James has truly outdone himself with this book. While it is no longer my favorite James' novel, I still think it among the best novels written in the English language. The character of Isabel Archer is an indelible part of literature. The story begins with an American woman, left parentless and penniless, being discovered by an expatriate Aunt. The Aunt convinces her to go England with her so that she might meet her cousin, Ralph. Isabel eagerly agrees. She is idealistic and has always wanted to see Europe. Her aunt agrees to pay for the expenditures. Once there, Isabel falls in love with their house, Gardencourt, and grows to enjoy her frail, sweet, ironic, and funny cousin. Before Isabel knows it, she has become ensnared in a one-sided love affair with a handsome English nobleman, Lord Warburton, little knowing what to do. Despite the urgings of her aunt, Isabel rejects his proposal in the desire to wait for something better. Soon, her elderly uncle dies, but not before she charms him with her intelligence and subtle beauty. Ralph insists that his father leave Isabel a substantial fortune, so that she might be able to live as she wishes. When the uncle dies, Isabel is left with 70,000 pounds, or about 200,000 dollars. From here is where the true story begins. I will not reveal more of the plot, which unwinds slowly and with assurance. James, being a master of prose, knows how to manipulate a sentence in a multitude of ways. His lilting, ironic, verbose writing style lends class and charm to Isabel's ultimately tragic tale. Some modern readers aren't able to handle James' subtle style. Unfortunately, many of us have had to fight the effects of shortened attention spans. Reading a slow-paced and brilliantly conceived tale like this will surely help cure short attention spans. Once you begin the story, it grows on you and affects you greatly. James is difficult getting used to, but he grabs you with his excellent descriptions of passionate people. Finally, the brilliance of this book lies in its tragedy. Even though many readers can predict early on where Isabel's confidence and naivete will lead her, James makes the journey bumpy and fascinating. He also slowly injects the story with dread, as we begin to sense the true malevolence of Madame Merle's and Osmond's vicious plans. Their acts are pure Machiavellian glee. Only in the final third of the book does it become clear of the true nature of the scheming M. Merle's plans. James also leaves several important plot points until near the end of the novel. All of this leads to a long, engrossing, and sad story of a young woman "affronting her destiny", as James puts it. Rarely has so romantic or so devastating a book been written. The ending is the final kicker. Unlike the happy ending we suspect, James leaves readers with open interpretations and many possible questions regarding Isabel's TRUE feelings about men. It also most vividly presents her sexual repression and fear that dominate the entire book. James knew the reserves of the time dictated that such topics not be discussed, and he cleverly uses this theme discreetly. However, he also uses it as a sort of indictment on the times, with their lack of passion and sensuality. Many readers expect a conclusion to the story, but, as with real life, stories simply go on. The ending is perhaps the most modern thing about the book. It also makes certain readers know that Isabel's life will never be one of happiness. This is an exquisitely haunting masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: An Uplifting Masterpice
Review: _Portrait of a Lady_ by Henry James is a masterpiece. That word is overused but this book deserves it. I'm not good at hollistic reviews, so I'll break it down. This book is about the strength of the human spirit. Isabel Archer (the protagonist) is a hero. Though she has some flaws which temporarily inconvenience her, she doesn't give up. The writing's delightful. It is full of wit, and while reading it you may come up with your in. Portrait is the first book I've read with this kind of humor, and I'm glad I learned it. The writing can be jilted. Very important plot points are just jumped over. Twice I found myself reading backwards, wondering when I missed something. This can be extremely aggrevating. Possibly because of its paeanage to individualism, Portrait strongly mirrors Rand's to largest books, Atlas and Fountainhead. Though this was doubtless unintentional it was extremely interesting. Isabel is strongly similar to the lead of the latter, while Osmond's character repeatedly had me mutting "The Man Who Belonged On Earth." I think the reason that some other reviewers and I disagree on the tone (some say it is disenhartening) stems from the unique ending. For two days after I read it, I was arguing with myself "what happened?"
Rating:
Summary: Too much a time warp
Review: This is a 19th century novel right to the bottom; the conversations are endless, the descriptions accurate, author's voice is always there to comment the story. In those days, the way writers built up their characters was so different from present that it is very hard to adjust to. James tells us what his characters are like, whereas most modern writers prefer letting them speak for themselves. Moreover (and this is, of course, because of the formal Victorian habit culture), the characters seem to be always pretending and hiding something. All this makes even Isabel a pretty distant figure, more words than flesh and blood. All these problems make it for me, a modern reader, very hard to really enjoy the story, which in itself is quite nice. In its own age, the book has probably said a lot of human nature. For me, it doesn't say very much. It's just a story. But I must admit that in the end James made me really feel for the characters, care about their destiny. The open ending seemed to be the most modern single feature of the book - I liked it.
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