Portrait of a Lady (version 2)

The Portrait of a Lady is a novel by Henry James, first published in serial form from 1880 to 1881 and as a book in 1881. It follows Isabel Archer, a young American woman who inherits a fortune and faces the manipulations of two American expatriates in Europe. The novel explores themes of personal freedom, responsibility, and betrayal, highlighting the contrasts between American and European societies. Regarded as one of James's finest works, it reflects his early mastery of character-driven narrative and psychological depth.