The Portrait of a LadyThe Portrait of a Lady provides an excellent introduction to the subtle, refined, and complex world of Henry James. Unlike any author before or since, James delved deeper into the hidden worlds of his characters, in order to explore the toils and delights of their inner lives. In The Portrait of a Lady, James tells the story of one of his most enchanting heroines, Isabel Archer, a young woman from New York State whose life is changed when she is visited by her aunt, Mrs. Touchett, following the death of her father (her mother having died long before). Mrs. Touchett, who is an expatriate American living in Florence, invites Isabel to accompany her back to Europe, where everyone she meets is fascinated by her beauty, her intelligence, and her vivacity. Mr. Touchett, her uncle, makes a generous provision for her in his will, but this turns out to have unexpected and undesired consequences. |
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afraid American amuse answered appeared aunt Bantling Bedfordshire believe better Caspar Goodwood certainly charming Collector's Library Collector's companion Countess Gemini course cousin cried deal dear delightful Edmund Ludlow Edward Rosier England enquired everything exclaimed eyes face father feel felt Florence fond Gardencourt gave gentleman Gilbert Osmond girl give glad hand happy Henry James hope hour husband idea interest Isabel asked Italy kind knew laugh Libra Library Collector's Library live Lockleigh looked Lord Warburton Madame Merle marriage marry matter mean Merle's mind Miss Archer Miss Molyneux Miss Stackpole never niece one's Pansy Pansy's perfectly perhaps person poor present pretend Ralph Touchett remarked Rome seemed seen sense sister smile sort speak stood suppose sure talk tell there's things thought told tone took visitor wait wish woman wondered young lady