The Portrait of a Lady is an 1881 novel by Henry James. It was first published as a serial in a magazine. Wikipedia describes the plot:
The Portrait of a Lady is the story of a spirited young American woman, Isabel Archer, who, in "confronting her destiny", finds it overwhelming. She inherits a large amount of money and subsequently becomes the victim of Machiavellian scheming by two American expatriates. Like many of James's novels, it is set in Europe, mostly England and Italy. Generally regarded as the masterpiece of James's early period, this novel reflects James's continuing interest in the differences between the New World and the Old, often to the detriment of the former. It also treats in a profound way the themes of personal freedom, responsibility, and betrayal.I know this is a classic, but I found it tedious and even repetitious in its descriptions. I found myself skimming without intending to and still haven't finished it.
It has been adapted for film several times, including as a 1968 BBC TV miniseries watchable in segments at this link to Youtube starring Suzanne Neve and Richard Chamberlain and a 1996 film starring Nicole Kidman, John Malkovich, and Barbara Hershey.
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Oh yes and I loved the Jane Campion film so much! oxo Susi
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the movie. Maybe I should go that route...
DeleteSounds to me like the book is far less interesting than the film.
ReplyDeleteBTW, SO glad to see your icon is back!
Isn't it strange about the icon. It reappeared as if by magic. Google/Blogger magic :)
DeleteThis is one of those books that I have heard about many times and have never read. Sometimes these older books tell wonderful stories but I find it hard to get through some of the time details, like references to things that speak of that period which i don't know. Sorry it was so slow of a book to read. Happy new week. Hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteI generally like the old classics, but this one I'm just going to give up on. I can't like everything I don't guess :(
DeleteI know I saw the film (1996) but it is rather indistinct in my recollection. Seems to me it was pretty good because of the actors alone. ;)
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the movie. I'm thinking I probably won't at this point. I mean well, but I have so many movies waiting for me to get around to them.
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