The Portrait of a Lady (AmazonClassics Edition) – Audiobook Online

“The Portrait of a Lady” tells the story of Isabel Archer, a young American woman who travels to Europe to experience the world and make her mark on it. She is independent, intelligent, and optimistic, with a strong sense of personal agency and an adventurous spirit – all traits that make her a compelling character and a refreshing departure from the conventional heroines of her time. Through a series of complex and often tumultuous relationships, Isabel navigates the challenges of love, wealth, power, and identity. She is courted by several suitors, including the wealthy and aristocratic American expatriate Gilbert Osmond, whose manipulative and controlling nature will ultimately bring her to the brink of ruin. As Isabel struggles to navigate the societal demands and constraints placed upon her, she must also confront the limitations of her own character and the impact of her choices on herself and those around her.

The novel is a rich and nuanced exploration of gender, class, identity, and agency, and a brilliant reflection on the complex interplay between individual will and societal convention. “The Portrait of a Lady” remains a classic of American literature and a timeless exploration of the human experience, as relevant today as it was when it was first published in 1881. Amanda Leigh Cobb’s masterful narration brings the story to life, capturing the nuance and complexity of James’s prose and the depth and richness of his characters.

• The Portrait of a Lady (AmazonClassics Edition)

• By: Henry James
• Narrated by: Amanda Leigh Cobb

Since the moment Isabel Archer arrived in England, the soon-to-be heiress has been in high demand. But the American idealist rejects two proposals altogether – and convention. Stubborn Isabel likes to shape her identity and face her own fate. In the end, when she’s swayed, it’s by the alluring charm of Gilbert Osmond, a foreigner. What used to be promise and determination is now fear that the independence she pursues may be lost forever.

With extraordinary skill and remarkable ease, Miss Cobb articulated beauty and eloquence in James’ long, descriptive, and stream-of-consciousness writing. With variations in voice, accent and accent, her portrayal of each character is rich and distinctive. A most wonderful report, Miss Cobb!

A great classic, which I somehow never had a chance to read. Don’t turn off the long and rather wordy foreword that I skim through, because then it goes away. It didn’t take long to get used to the language, it was first published in 1881. I really fell in love with the main character of Isabel Archer. She is a fish out of water, a young woman who thinks for her generation, but is too naive.

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