The Portrait of a Lady Paperback - 2006

by Henry, James

About this book

The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James was initially published as a serial in Macmillan's Magazine (UK) and The Atlantic Monthly (US) in 1880–81. The story tells of a spirited young American woman, Isabel Archer — arguably one of Miller’s most memorable characters — as she affronts her destiny only to find it overwhelming. The Portrait of a Lady is James’ most popular novel and is regarded by critics as one of his finest, exploring his characteristic theme of conflict between American individualism and European social custom.

From the publisher

For more than half a century Henry James was pre-eminently a novelists' novelist, and the reading public made little of his major works. His subsequent influence in fiction has been so pervasive, however, that his own style and methods are no longer a serious stumbling block, and a large body of readers is now 'discovering' Henry James's writing as a source of intellectual pleasure and human interest. The Portrait of a Lady, 'the first of his mature masterpieces, ' is probably the most suitable book that could be chosen to introduce him into The World's Classics, for it has the characteristic Jamesian precision in analysis and presentation without the more teasing involvements of his final period.Keywords: Intellectual Pleasure Henry James Portrait Of A Lady Reading Public Suitable Book Final Period Half A Century Stumbling Block Masterpieces Novelist Pervasiv

First Edition Identification

Though most generally considered The Portrait of a Lady to have been published simultaneously in the United Kingdom and the United States, controversy surrounds the true publication history. Macmillan (London) published the first UK edition of the book in three volumes in November 1881, just as the story was concluding its run in the eponymous house monthly magazine. However, Macmillan’s second edition — its first single-volume edition — was not published until June 1882. In the mean time, Houghton, Mifflin, and Company (Boston) published the first US and first single-volume edition, which became available on November 16, 1881, though the date on the title page states 1882.

Details

Title The Portrait of a Lady
Author Henry, James
Binding Paperback
Pages 676
Language ENG
Publisher Pomona Press
Date 2006-01
ISBN 9781406790702

This website uses cookies.