Mrs Osmond cover art

Mrs Osmond

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Mrs Osmond

By: John Banville
Narrated by: Amy Finegan
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About this listen

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Mrs Osmond by John Banville, read by Amy Finegan.

'What was freedom, she thought, other than the right to exercise one's choices?'

Isabel Osmond, a spirited, intelligent young heiress, flees to London after being betrayed by her husband, to be with her beloved cousin Ralph on his deathbed. After a sombre, silent existence at her husband's Roman palazzo, Isabel's daring escape to London reawakens her youthful quest for freedom and independence, as old suitors resurface and loyal friends remind her of happier times.

But soon Isabel must decide whether to return to Rome to face up to the web of deceit in which she has become entangled, or to strike out on her own once more.

 Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Romance Victorian Women's Fiction England Marriage

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Critic reviews

Banville is one of the writers I admire the most - few people can create an image as beautifully or precisely (Hanya Yanagihara, author of the Booker-shortlisted 'A Little Life')
This engrossing and often beautiful novel is a true work of art that rewards careful reading
The Booker prize winning author - widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in English today - has produced what many already consider a literary masterpiece
All stars
Most relevant
A remarkable read/listen ! Amy grows into the book and becomes Ms Archer! She removes the conscious awareness of the sequel nature of the book. JB doesn't try to outJames Henry but keeps us well within his sensibilities! brilliant.

thank you

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Human nature artfully painted in a plot that unfolds in perfectly paced steps. The timeless complexity of individuals and motives packaged in a story that is both depressing and uplifting. Beautifully narrated.

A thing of beauty

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Stepping into the tracks of a master - Henry James, picking up one of his main characters - Isabel Archer and attempting a sequel to his pivotal work - ‘A Portrait of a Lady’ takes a leap of faith - how avoid falling into the traps of hindsight on social developments of the period that James witnessed first-hand and rendered in all their tentativeness? However, the risk of any incredulity is beautifully managed by John Banville by letting the plot appear to be driven by the spontaneous, at times erratic steps of Isabel, quite hitting the nail on what makes the essence of ‘the Portrait’. While remaining throughout faithful to the original, the contemporary follow-up provides a logical sequel to Isabel’s marital disappointments as Mrs Osmond leading up into her joining the cause of the Souffragettes. With her subtly differentiated reading, Amy Finegan hits congenially the nail turning Banville's book into a perfect audiobook experience.

Banville and Finegan hit congenially the nail!

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very enjoyable story, I loved "portrait" and wasn't disappointed by this. the ending was enigmatic!

authentic, and yet modern sequel

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