A very slow read, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. The story builds very slowly, but in the interim, several characters are developed fully with psychology and motivations. As complex a character as Isabel (the lady) was, she was also one of the simplest to understand. Those in her orbit were harder nuts to crack. A very satisfying read, but not one to rush through. I spent the better part of two months reading it and that was a good pace to embrace the characters as they are slowly revealed. ( )

bailed second read. ( )

I'm glad I finally got around to reading James, even if it was through a prompt in a mystery novel. I wish I'd known Isabel Archer when I was younger; not that we're alike, but that I could have learned some lessons from her. What a fascinating character study. Unfortunately I've met too many Osmonds in my time... ( )

A la mort de ses parents, Isabel est prise en charge par sa tante qui l’emmène avec elle en Angleterre. La jeune Américaine y découvre la petite noblesse, voyage en Europe et y vit son éducation sentimentale. Un roman féministe avant l’heure, qui dénonce l’éducation bâclée et paternaliste des filles et promeut leur intelligence, leur indépendance, le choix de leur vie et de leur couple. Une écriture classique et réaliste, parfois ardue, pour un texte étonnamment moderne.
”Une femme délibérément opprimée est en droit de tout faire dans la vie, de descendre dans la rue, si cela peut la soulager !” ( )

Did you ever meet a character so charming and fun that you wished you knew them in real life? I would have liked to pal around with Isabel Archer, American heiress and orphan. When her father dies, Isabel makes the journey to visit her aunt, Mrs. Touchett. Despite being outspoken and extremely independent, Isabel makes fast friends with her European cousin, Ralph, an older woman named Mrs. Merle and a few eligible bachelors who express an interest in Isabel. Everyone bores Isabel until she meets dashing suitor, Gilbert Osmond. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what she saw in him. Ignoring the warnings of her family and friends, Isabel throws caution to the wind and marries Mr. Osmond, only to discover he control over her is fueled by jealousy and greed. When he forbids her to see her dying cousin, I just about lost my mind. Who does that? Obviously, this is not the end of the story, but The Portrait of a Lady is a classic so you know what happens next. ( )