The Portrait of a Lady

"This subtle, beautifully constructed study of an attractive, intelligent, spirited young woman's transition from insouciance to enlightenment is a classic. Passion, intrigue, betrayal - it sounds like a potboiler, but James's observations of Victorian manners, understanding of human nature and exquisite prose elevate it to another league" Guardian "The Portrait of a Lady is entirely successful in giving one the sense of having met somebody far too radiantly good for this world" -- Rebecca West "Subtle and sophisticated and concerned with psychological nuance and social acceptability" -- Joanna Trollope "James is the master of making what is not said the most important thing on the page" -- Kate Atkinson "I read Portrait of a Lady by Henry James maybe once a year. I just love the story. I love the pace of it" -- Colm Toibin