The Portrait of a Lady, Volume II Audiobook (Unabridged)

" I really don't understand why this book is a classic. I'd love to hear from readers who related to this book. "

" This is not a frolic through the social norms and follies of nineteenth century England, a la Jane Austen. This is a tome, a beast of a book following five years in the life of a young American woman named Isabel Archer as she moves to Europe with an aunt and discovers that seeing all of life can be an enlightening, yet painful, process. Dense, masterfully written, the book keeps you engaged even when the situation is not the one you (or Isabel or her friends, family, or suitors) had imagined. "

" I really cannot understand the hype - I found that this book took a very long time to go nowhere! "

" Classic James. Brilliant. Subtle, psychological, with such graceful writing. "

" This book is pure quality. The narration is so well done and at times really funny. The detailed descriptions of locations can be a bit tedious, but the lively characters and situations totally make up for that. "

" It was tedious to read, so I skimmed over a lot of the book, hoping it would get better, but it didn't ! "

" This is a book I just can't bring myself to finish. It just drags along so slowly. It is a good enough story, I just can't get involved in the plot enough that I want to push to the end to find out what happens. I think I will just read a spoiler! "

" Hefty, but not as tiresome as you might think. Holy phraseology, this man can write! And the characters are meaty and portrayed in delicious complexity, even if James gives them little to do except talk about Isabel. "

" The themes here are as relevant today as when they were written. It is a long, but worthwhile read. "

" I really, really hated this book! I couldn't even say why, maybe it was just the way that James writes. One day I'll try it again, but not just yet. "

" Henry James is a beautiful writer, but I only like books in which I can relate to, understand, or at least semi-like the main character. In this case, the I kept wanting to slap the main character and she made no sense to me at all....... "

" Not a lot of time since i'm in school but I will read this book during the break since I started it before the quarter started. I haven't read any classics in eons... "

" Henry James was brilliant. I think this book was his best, leaving the end of what could be to your imagination. Touches on a lot of subjects that were semi scandalous for his time. "

" This is a re-read for me. I did a critical reading of it for my Honors English Lit class in college. I pulled it off my shelf, needing a book for a long trip. We'll see how I like it this second time when reading it more for leisure. "

" Too many unneccessary words, too little essential information. "

" it's good, but I didn't like the ending. "

" I keep trying to appreciate Henry James, but he keeps tightening the screw. I shall read this again when I am in a different mood and see if I can add another star. Why does he have to be so cold and clinical? Maybe the next book will do it for me. "

" A thorough and absorbing story with some of the sharpest and most artful dialogue I've ever read. It has been too long since I've read serious fiction, and this was a wonderful reintroduction. "

" I read this in my 20s while in Paris. My boyfriend and I only had the one copy between us, so I would read a page, then tear it out and give it to him. "

" I'm not a writer, just a reader and I loved this book. "

" if it weren't for the last third of this book, it'd be a five. "

" Sadly beautiful and well worth the time. "

" At points this was difficult to read and felt a little dull. I'm certain others could read this book with pleasure, I didnt. But I would like to read it again with an eye for gender studies. "

" My other all time favorite! A classic. I love the way Henry James writes and I could read this book over and over again. The characters are wonderful and Mr. James uses language so wonderfully! "

" The story was beautifully told. All the characters had unique voices and points of view.I thought the Osmond character was a bit too mustache-twirling.Isabel had a feel of a horror film last girl. "

" Thoroughly enjoyed it. Psychological character descriptions are layers and layers deep. Will remember many of the main characters, they are so intriguing. "

" I really had a hard time reading this, as James writes with such a full use of the language. The characters are a bit stereotypical, but the story has enough plot twists to make it interesting. "

" Classic, however the fact that he spent a whole page on describing a tea pot will never leave my memory of this book! "