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The Portrait of a Lady

A Norton Critical Edition
By Henry James
Series: Norton Critical Editions
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James is a novel that follows the journey of Isabel Archer, a spirited American woman who travels to Europe to explore her independence and experience new cultures. Woven through themes of personal freedom, societal constraints, and the complexities of human character, Isabel's story delves into her relationships and the choices she makes, which profoundly impact her life. This introspective narrative examines how personal ideals can clash with the realities of life and love.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are intrigued by intricate character development and complex societal dynamics, as it delves into the life of a spirited young American woman navigating European society. This novel may appeal to those who appreciate psychological depth and the exploration of themes such as freedom, responsibility, and the constraints imposed by society.

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Henry James’s most famous novel edited by the critically acclaimed author of Portrait of a Novel.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

This Norton Critical Edition includes:

The New York Edition of the novel, accompanied by Michael Gorra's introduction and explanatory footnotes.

Background and contextual materials centering on James as a writer, The Portrait of a Lady in revision, and reviews of the novel by James's contemporaries.

Seven important critical essays, chosen for their accessibility.

A Chronology and Suggestions for Further Reading.

About the Series

Read by more than 12 million students over fifty-five years, Norton Critical Editions set the standard for apparatus that is right for undergraduate readers. The three-part format—annotated text, contexts, and criticism—helps students to better understand, analyse, and appreciate the literature, while opening a wide range of teaching possibilities for instructors. Whether in print or in digital format, Norton Critical Editions provide all the resources students need.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780393938531

Publisher: WW Norton & Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 17 October 2017

Country: United States

Imprint: WW Norton & Co

Edition: Critical edition

Contributors:

  • Edited by Michael Gorra

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 145.0mm

Height: 236.0mm

Weight: 514g

Pages: 664

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Henry James Series: Norton Critical Editions

About the Author

Michael Gorra is the Mary Augusta Jordan Professor of English at Smith College, where he has taught since 1985. He is the recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Guggenheim Foundation and, for his work as a reviewer, of the Balakian Award from the National Book Critics Circle. His books include The Saddest Words: William Faulkner’s Civil War; Portrait of a Novel: Henry James and the Making of on American Masterpiece, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Biography; The Bells in Their Silence: Travels through Germany; After Empire: Scott, Naipaul, Rushdie; The English Novel at Mid-Century; and, as editor, The Portable Conrad and the Norton Critical Editions of The Sound and the Fury and The Portrait of a Lady.

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