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  • The Portrait of a Lady

  • By: Henry James
  • Narrated by: John Wood
  • Length: 23 hrs and 55 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (234 ratings)
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The Portrait of a Lady

By: Henry James
Narrated by: John Wood
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Summary

Exclusively from Audible

When Isabel Archer, a beautiful, spirited American, is brought to Europe by her wealthy aunt Touchett, it is expected that she will soon marry. But Isabel, resolved to enjoy the freedom that her fortune has opened up and to determine her own fate, does not hesitate to turn down two eligible suitors, declaring that she will never be wed.

It is only when she finds herself irresistibly drawn to the cultivated but worthless Gilbert Osmond that she discovers that wealth is a two-edged sword. She becomes a victim of her own provincialism and the scheming of her friends, learning only too late that there is a price to be paid for independence. A tragic tale of love and betrayal, it still resonates with audiences today.

With its subtle delineation of American characters in a European setting, The Portrait of a Lady is considered the masterpiece of the first phase of James's career and arguably his most popular story. Within it we find a reflection of James's interest in the differences between the New World and the Old, often to the detriment of the former.

A film adaptation was made in 1996 by New Zealand director Jane Campion, starring Nicole Kidman, John Malkovich, and Barbara Hershey.

Narrator Biography

Having begun his career on stage, John Wood spent seven years in television before eventually playing lead roles in Tom Stoppard's teleplays in 1967. After two Tony nominations for his performances in Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead and Sherlock Holmes, he won the award for Best Actor for his role in Stoppard's surrealistic farce, Travesties, in 1976. He also had a long career with the Royal Shakespeare Company and continued his theatre work in both America and the UK, eventually receiving a Laurence Olivier Award nomination in 1997 for his role in Stoppard's Invention of Love.

In 1996, Wood performed in BBC Radio 3's audio production of Man and Superman by George Bernard Shaw and in 2010 he narrated audiobook The Portrait of a Lady with Audible Studios. His appearances in feature films have included Nicholas and Alexandra (1971) and, later, television appearances have included Foyles's War (2004) and Lewis (2007). In 2007 he was appointed Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Portrait of a Lady

Average customer ratings
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  • 4 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

James's writing is sublime

James's writing is wonderful and this version is very well read. The novel is character driven rather than plot driven. We see Isabel's character evolve, the effect money has on her life, the different male suitors show the marital options available to women at the time and the satelite female characters portray alternative forms of existence for women in C19th society. Isabel arrives on the scene framed in a doorway- like a portrait- and leaves the same way, but is much changed. When you look at a portrait it is static but you can read so much into it; the same is true of Isabel Archer.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

...simply sublime!

What a discovery - this is why we read! My first Henry James novel.

The precise crisp prose of the story telling, the arch of character development, the outcome of a single well meant intervention, the pursuit of youth, beauty and money. All this weaved to a final resolution where the many outcomes are an understanding of the subtleties of life, love, experience all laced with the ambiguity of personal perspective.

My reaction on finishing, was to re-listen to all they key moments to ensure I had grasped all the nuances in James' narrative.

The narrator is excellent and breathed life into Ralph and gave insight to the nuances of his character (the word "adored" is etched on my consciousness) -as well as giving Henrietta Stackpole her sass.

Highly recommended.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Love the Story, Hate the narrator

What did you like most about The Portrait of a Lady?

The story was very involved and rambling. A true work of art.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator, for the most part, sounded out of breath. It was very offputting.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Exceptional.

Perfectly crafted words. The story is a physiological study of many types. Most of them of American origin now living in Europe. The heroine a clever and charming woman looking for deeper meanings in life. Not to be miss

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Su
  • 02-12-13

Took a long time but loved it

What did you like most about The Portrait of a Lady?

I loved Henry James's descriptions. He takes his time and you have to be patient with the pace of the story but it's great. Didn't have quite the ending I wanted but then it was up to the writer not me!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The point where she realizes there's a betrayal and an undercurrent in her relationship to her best friend was pretty good. As was the description of her growing realization of the true nature of her husband's character. Very moving.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Henry James for first time

This was my first Henry James novel and I was a little disappointed. I love a classic, and had been listening to Middlemarch before this. James was amusing in his observations of life, but I di not think the storyline was very entertaining. Just my personal opinion.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting

Thought provoking. After watching the film twice (which is very good) I wanted to see if I could find out more. It's almost a psychological who done it. Is there an answer? Watch the film first then listen to the book is my recommendation. You lose nothing and the film draws you in quicker. Then you will
want to know more. Can the book deliver ....?

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Sickening narration .

This book was completely spoilt for me with the disgusting glottal swallowing and noisy intake of breath of this narrator .

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Slow start and great characters

I loved this book. It was long but this allowed a better understanding of the characters.
Unexpected end.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Such a brilliant novel

It was so well read by John Wood. I was in good company the whole time I listened to it.

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