Is The Portrait of a Lady a good book? Why or why not?
Yes. It is a good book and a good illustration of Henry James’ style and a good illustration of the style of the time. That said, it can be difficult to read. Henry James liked to have books with a focus on a fine central intelligence. In this case Isabel Archer. And James’ portrait of her is painted not just in describing her, but also in her interactions with the characters around here. A hundred years before, the book would have described her adventures…but James’ portraiture is psychological and nuanced. A tough read…but a good book.
