The Portrait of a Lady I & II (Cranford Collection Reprint)

5e, Henry James (Cranford Collection) Description Henry James’s The Portrait of a Lady (Vol. I & II) follows the journey of Isabel Archer, a spirited young American who travels to Europe in search of independence, knowledge, and experience. In the first volume, Isabel inherits a fortune, which allows her freedom of choice but also exposes her to manipulative figures and questionable suitors. The second volume explores the consequences of her decisions—particularly her ill-fated marriage to Gilbert Osmond, whose cold, controlling nature stifles her once-bright spirit. Across both parts, James examines themes of freedom, love, betrayal, and the cost of self-discovery, creating a nuanced portrait of a woman struggling between independence and the pressures of society. Notes NEW reprint