Rating: 
Summary: Exquisite if not Intriguing, Elegant if not Swift
Review: Henry James is not known for his swift pace in world literature; instead, along w/ his psychiatrist brother, Henry James never fails to frame the fragility of human spirit with an elegant touch, weaving the psyche into one continuous stream of thoughts. In this stunning achievement of his, James portrays a young, ingenuous American heiress, Isabel Archer, who comes to Europe looking for ways to escape commonality of her old life. Intelligent and rebellious, Isabel soon finds herself entrapped in a society where one might not soar as high even with an impressive fortune as the one she has inherited. It is her wish to avoid the common lot that leads her astray: first refusing a good nobleman, then bestowing herself on a mysterious stranger for the sake of "tasting reality". Not knowing the consequence of such a fateful entanglement, Isabel refuses advice from her earnest but sickly cousin and eccentric but wise aunt to consent to a devious dilettante, seducer who hunts her down with the appeal of a poor man in want of sympathy. This is where James so skillfully masters the art of psychology--in one aspect the readers are drawn to share in Isabel's subtle fall into an abyss of shapeless pain, in another apsect, we as readers cannot help but denounce Isabel's pompous intelligence that leads her further away from the truth which her pride prevents her from seeing. The moral of her tragedy (which includes further entanglement with an American beau, her cousin, her step-daughter, an all-American girl-friend, and a dark motherly figure whose relationship w/ Isabel's husband remains a mystery for you to discover), is that in a process of seeking happiness through pain, through seeking out suffering to justify her wealth, Isabel loses sight of a reality that may be ruled by one thing and one thing only--fate.
Rating:
Summary: A disheartening, uplifting, human masterpiece
Review: The idea of reviewing this novel came to me when reading the comments of 14 year old Camille, whose comments I consider to be extremely honest and justified. This is a difficult novel that cannot be uplifting for anyone who uses the English language - Henry James is a craftsman who with every phrase renders thoughts we struggle to grasp in our own minds, and who thus belittles our diminished, 21st century linguistic abilities. It is ironic that a man so insightful can be so turgid at times, yet that criticism of his writing is accurate, inasmuch as he can go on and on. But, and this is a highly personal comment - I loved every single word in this book, the way they were placed, the way they sounded when read aloud, the way they made me exclaim with wonder every so often - "oh!". Honestly. His characters are larger than life, because they carry the burden of a simple tale rendered into a novel. But they are also true - the sick old Touchett and his son Ralph; the "too-perfect" gentleman Warburton; the fiery, love-her-hate-her Henrietta; the two polished, sinister allies - Isabelle's husband and friend; and of course, Isabelle herself, "too darn conceited", yet a heroine of the first order, in whom there is something for everyone. All the characters should remind you of people you know, though they all possess more of those same qualities you recognise - everyone is more accomplished than in real life. But, the narrative remains real by rendering everyone as partly flawed. It is in fact a novel that opposes completion (in death or marriage) or perfection - it suggests a search, thrives on the love of hope, the joy of what tomorrow brings. Which is why at the end, you feel unfulfilled, yet know that the novel had to stop at some point. It is an unfinished tale...the completion is in every turn of phrase, every character analysis And, although James, not necessarily unintentionally, belittles us, he bears along with his flaw of linguistic self-love one more uplifting thrill - a compassion for the human spirit and a love of life. Read it again when you are older, Camille, and see how much of Isabelle there is in you. mrovich1@hotmail.com
Rating: 
Summary: Not perfect, but admirable
Review: I will not launch into an extensive (and ignorant) critique of a book I have yet to finish. Personally, I found the story a little dull and overlong. But make no mistake about the writing: it is some of the best around. James write elegantly. His style is very formal, and very VERY subtle. So if you read him for anything, read him for the beautiful writing, and the plot will come. After all, isn't that what it's all about?
Rating: 
Summary: C-
Review: okay, so i'm fourteen, and by most standards "too young" to be reading and reviewing this book, but this is America and for all you know i'm really a forty year old housewife looking for something amusing to do. The conversation at times is hard to follow: pages upon pages of wordy, witty observations and pointless chit-chat. Plus, Isabel is just too darn conceited - she's in love with herself (that's why she turned down a few guys before picking the wrong one). It does have its good points...but I'm more inclined to Jane Austen or the Brontes - they at least have sensible heroins. I totally agree with Ahmedabah (scroll down and you'll find his review) - except the version I read had 645 pages, and what he said about American girls! We're really not all that bad, you know.
Rating:
Summary: A beautifully enchanting book!
Review: James' "Portrait of a Lady" is an angelic book that captures the deepest feelings of our hearts. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It made me laugh, it made me cry. I highly recommend this book to romantic readers. And if you are not a romantic reader, you should give it a try. BE OPEN MINDED WITH EVERY NEW EXPERIENCE. Enjoy!!
Rating:
Summary: The most beautiful story ever written
Review: Henry James' Portrait of a Lady is sensitively evoked, beautifully written, and well developed. Isabel Archer is the the paragon of femininity, strength, and heroinism. A must-read.
Rating:
Summary: Super!
Review: The cover for the Signet version is best. The appearance, with the muted watercolor image, is just so much more classy than all the others. It really carries across that "literary" feel that I think the author of the book is attempting. It looks great on my bookshelf! I look forward to someday reading it.
Rating:
Summary: The Romantic Era
Review: Osmond and Archer have been pronounced husband and wife. This marriage means a great change in Isabel's life. She has been very fond of her liberty in America. In this other part of the world, Europe, Isabel meets all Osmond's requirements for his type of marriage. Gilbert is Isabel's accepted norm too since he is very uncommon and sensitive. But Mrs. Osmond will find that the man living with her had more than one wife. Then her idea about Mr. Osmond changes. And Isabel's relationship with his daughter is shattered. And her idea of marriage is reversed. Isabel's reaction would be typical during the author's present experience between 1890 and 1900 since 74% of the women born in those years remained chaste until marriage.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Involved on an Emotional Level
Review: Isabel Archer is an extremely unique and fascinating character. The reader will follow her every move in wonder. Though she made the wrong choice in her husband, the plot is improved by her ultimate decision. I loved the description, but the tragic ending forces me to give the novel four stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Some parts of it are interesting, but most isn't
Review: the reason I began reading this book was because I was given no alternative by my school. I don't see Isabel Archer as snobbish at all.
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