The portrait of a lady : an authoritative text, Henry James and the novel, reviews and criticism

Product Description The text of this Second Edition of one of Henry James's most important novels is that of the New York Edition (1908). In a sense, there are two distinctly separate Portraits—the 1880-81 First Edition and the New York Edition, which James extensively revised. The editor has meticulously prepared a list of textual variants to facilitate comparative reading of the novel. Nina Baym, F. O. Matthiessen, and Anthony J. Mazzella provide differing interpretations of James's revision process. Henry James and the Novel culls autobiographical excerpts from James's other writings—his Notebooks , the intentionally autobiographical A Small Boy and Others and Notes of a Son and Brother , and the travel books Italy Revisited , A Roman Holiday , and Roman Rides . Contemporary Reviews and Criticism provides both chronological and critical perspective on The Portrait of a Lady . Four reviews from 1882 outline the novel's initial critical reception. Seven important essays from the period 1954-1991 provide a wide range of critical responses by Dorothy Van Ghent, William H. Gass, Laurence B. Holland, Charles Feidelson, Louis Auchincloss, William Veeder, and Millicent Bell. Bibliographical Aids includes judiciously selected secondary works on James from the wealth of material published yearly. About the Author Robert D. Bamberg is Emeritus Professor of English at Kent State University. He previously taught at Bates College (where he was chairman of the department and Dean of the Faculty) and at the University of Pennsylvania. He received his Ph.D. from Cornell University. He is the author of articles on British and American fiction and is editor of The Confessions of Jereboam O. Beauchamp . He is an affiliate member of the American Psychoanalytic Association and practices psychoanalysis in Cleveland. The Portrait of a Lady , by Henry James , is part of the Barnes & Noble Classics series, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of Barnes & Noble Classics : New introductions commissioned from todays top writers and scholars Biographies of the authors Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events Footnotes and endnotes Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work Comments by other famous authors Study questions to challenge the readers viewpoints and expectations Bibliographies for further reading Indices & Glossaries, when appropriate All editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. Barnes & Noble Classics pulls together a constellation of influences—biographical, historical, and literary—to enrich each readers understanding of these enduring works. Widely regarded as Henry James 's greatest masterpiece, The Portrait of a Lady features one of the author's most magnificent heroines: Isabel Archer, a beautiful, spirited American who becomes a victim of her provincialism during her travels in Europe. As the story begins, Isabel, resolved to determine her own fate, has turned down two eligible suitors. Her cousin, who is dying of tuberculosis, secretly gives her an inheritance so that she can remain independent and fulfill a grand destiny, but the fortune only leads her to make a tragic choice and marry Gilbert Osmond, an American expatriate who lives in Florence. Outwardly charming and cultivated, but fundamentally cold and cruel, Osmond only brings heartbreak and ruin to Isabel's life. Yet she survives as she begins to realize that true freedom means living with her choices and their consequences. Richly complex and nearly aesthetically perfect, The Portrait of a Lady brilliantly portrays the clash between the innocence and exuberance of the New World and the corruption and wisdom of the Old. Gabriel Brownstein is the author of a collection of stories— The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Apt 3W —which won the 2002 PEN/Hemingway Award. His essays, reviews, and criticism have appeared in the Boston Globe, the New Leader, Scribner's British Writers, and on Nerve.com. Seeking The Opportunities Of Europe, Isabel Archer, A Young American, Is Courted By Three Men, Comes To Rely On A Invalid Cousin, An Falls Prey To A Scheming, Sophisicated Older Woman. The Text Of The Portrait Of A Lady -- Henry James And The Novel -- Contemporary Reviews And Criticism. Edited By Robert D. Bamberg. Includes The Preface To The New York Edition (1908). Includes Bibliographical References (p. 785). Een rijke Amerikaanse jonge vrouw met een sterke drang naar onafhankelijkheid blijft, ondanks alles wat ze in de loop van haar huwelijk over hem te weten komt, haar onbekrompen maar oppervlakkige echtgenoot trouw. Seeking the opportunities of Europe, Isabel Archer, a young American, is courted by three men, comes to rely on a invalid cousin, an falls prey to a scheming, sophisticated older woman Features one of Henry James' most magnificent heroines, Isabel Archer, a beautiful, spirited American who becomes the victim of her provincialism during her travels in Europe.