Audiobook (abridged)2 hours
Portrait Of A Lady
Written by Henry James
Narrated by William Roberts
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
4/5
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About this audiobook
The Portrait of a Lady focuses first and foremost on the character and experiences of its heroine Isabel Archer. She is, in Henry James' words, the ‘lighted’ character; all the other people in the novel remain relatively obscure. Their dealings with Isabel, for good or ill, serve to reveal more of her character to the reader and to further her along the path of emotional development and maturity. The deep goodness of Ralph and the machinations of Osmond and Madame Merle are revealed only in relation to her.
Author
Henry James
Henry James (1843–1916) was an American writer, highly regarded as one of the key proponents of literary realism, as well as for his contributions to literary criticism. His writing centres on the clash and overlap between Europe and America, and The Portrait of a Lady is regarded as his most notable work.
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Reviews for Portrait Of A Lady
Rating: 3.99968520943792 out of 5 stars
4/5
9,536 ratings225 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The most exquisitely written book that I have ever read. I can not fault it. Wilde writes with such grace and eloquence. At times he writes so vividly one feels as if they are right beside Dorian Gray at one of his many soirees, as he is listening to the malicious whispers of Lord Henry, plunging the knife into Basil's throat and finally facing the true horror of his soul in the form of a portrait.The Picture of Dorian Gray is a hauntingly reminiscent tale of the human conscience. Wilde does not hold back upon the darkness that inhabits the human mind, of what we are truly capable of without our soul. It is one of those books that absolutely must be read. It has given me a greater understanding of life and it is a story I will always remember.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A good story about the morals of man, and the effect it has on us. Conversation after conversation of seemingly brilliant characters about the morals that we all fight with every day, and the way life would be if we could forget about living with morals. A unique look into the mind of a man going crazy from guilt and secrets. As the introduction by Camille Cauti states, Oscar Wilde is very quotable so there is always something interesting to read.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5"I have nothing to declare but my genius."
? Oscar Wilde
And indeed, he was genius! I actually read Wilde's masterpiece, The Picture of Dorian Gray, as a child in the early 1980s, but then again, for a second time, in 2012. And even after all those years, it still gave me the creeps. For it is a story most petrifying.
The Picture of Dorian Gray was way ahead of its time?still reverberating volumes today. It is a cult classic in literature, and I reckon that it will continue to remain so for generations to come. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Not as good as I expected. Some of the dialogue is stilted, with characters giving long, impassioned speaches to each other in order for us to understand their thoughts and opinions. When the dialogue is short and snappy it's wonderful to read, but when it consists of one of the characters throwing their world view at us, it becomes a little depressing. The chapter supposalby detaining Dorian growing old but which actually deals with anything but that is also depressing. Though when the book is good, it is very good. Dorian's reaction to the death of a woman he rejected early in the book, his slow descent and it's inevitable conclusion were lovely. Seeing him sin and watching as he dealt with his sin, corrupting others and throwing of the blame, was very nice. Still, could have done with fewer speches and more action.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I really enjoyed this book and it's crazy plot. I also felt like it was a warning not to live too much about the physical things in life. I think for a lot of people image, clothing, and physical appearance sometimes becomes a part of their identity in a way that's not healthy and not productive. This book definitely has a moral tone as well that while I understood, did not always appreciate. I'm sure that if Wilde had been alive today he would have been able to write about homosexuality in a more visible way. Though, we might not have his wonderful work in the way we do now.
I also really liked the language, of course, Wilde is a master and I appreciated the insanity of the entire situation. Dorian Gray reminded me the reason we read classic literature.
The new film from a couple of years ago was also good though, I think, it's better in novel form than film form. - Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Very interesting book, especially for the time period it was written in. The writing style seems very different from the other books I've read from the time period. And the premise of the story based on debauchery with no lawful repercussions probably upset quite a few people. I liked the story. My father was actually named after Dorian Grey, so I've been meaning to read this book for a while to see what inspired my grandmother to use the name. Not that my father partakes in debauchery, of course. :) Actually I don't know why my father was given the name. Anyways, this is a classic I am not just glad to check off the list and have in my reading repertoire. I ended up enjoying the book and purposefully sat and cross-stitched instead of my other plans just so I could finish the book on audio.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It is a story that will question one's morality and beliefs. The character's cynical views on things were overwhelming and wordy at times. The author cautiously remind us how we can be influenced and persuaded to be immoral by those we consider friends and yet sometimes those who are honest and good to us are the ones we push away because we are blinded with sin. This story reminds me why it's important we read classics. I can imagine long discussions or an essay being assigned for this story in a college brit lit class. Indisputably, everyone must read this book at least once.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Read in kindle/Audible through Whispersync/immersion reading.
Fabulous one-liners interspersed in dialogue throughout the book.
"Like all people who try to exhaust a subject, he exhausted his listeners. "
"Nowadays people know the price of everything and the value of nothing."
"To get back my youth I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early, or be respectable"
Simon Prebbles narrated/performed the book superbly. 5 star performance. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Prachtige sfeerschepping, sterk thrillerachtig, vol spitse oneliners en cynische filosofietjes.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5While I don't think it will ever be my favourite book (more than halfway through for it to become even remotely entrancing?), the latte half is intriguing, with some interesting bits.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/53* for meI know it's a classicJust not one of my favoritesShelfari says it best"This dandy, who remains forever unchanged—petulant, hedonistic, vain, and amoral—while a painting of him ages and grows increasingly hideous with the years"
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I've meant to read this one since I had to analyse the last few pages for the final module of my English Lit A Level. For some reason, I'd never read it entirely before. It wasn't really spoilt by the fact that I already knew the ending intimately, although nothing was exactly a surprise to me, since I'd already thoroughly researched it. It's an interesting idea, and the ending is just perfect. Parts of it were a little boring, given that parts centered around philosophising, and parts centered around long descriptions. It is easy to read, and the descriptions are actually very lovely, but... there's just a bit more of it than I'd like. The actual plot is quite simple, though, really, so I suppose there'd be almost nothing to it without this!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Dorian Gray sold his soul for eternal youth and beauty while his painting of him ages and grows increasingly hideous with the years. This was a fascinating read. A timeless masterpiece, the book shows the struggle and torment of good and evil. I loved the character of Lord Henry Wotton. I would have to say that Oscar Wilde was a genius! I will definitely have to read this one again!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A great work of literature. Truly remarkable an idea.I liked this book
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Audacious book for its era. The melodramatic delivery starts to ruffle.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I was kind of underwhelmed by this one. Some interesting ideas were brought up, but the story itself wasn't as riveting as I thought it would be.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5A fantastic plot buried under too many words (mostly coming from the mouth of Lord Henry). It would have made a gripping and terrifying novella or short story. To alter an accusation from Dorian and turn it back on Wilde, "You would sacrifice any reader, Oscar, for the sake of an epigram."
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5No one but Prebble could interpret so well the languid tones and phlegm of Lord Henry. In the narrator's voice I could visualise the character's affected smile and slow gestures. Dorian also, from a youthful voice at first, becomes more detached, sophisticated, and Lord Henry-like in tones as the book develops. I cannot think of a more appropriate narrator. This is a priceless interpretation of the The Picture of Dorian Gray.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I can see why this book became/is a classic, but I can't say I really enjoyed reading it. The premise is interesting but completely predictable-- though perhaps just because it has become part of the fabric of our literary culture. I found the relationships between the men to be, uh, well, gay. I know the period and culture were very different but I can't image men speaking to each other like Basil spoke to and about Dorian. I guess my biggest complaint is that there are several long tedious passages, with one extraneous analogy or example after another (the same is true of his Children's stories). It's a great allegory and would probably be more interesting to study than to read for pleasure.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I was kind of underwhelmed by this one. Some interesting ideas were brought up, but the story itself wasn't as riveting as I thought it would be.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Overall I enjoyed The Picture of Dorian Gray, it's witty, funny at times and captures the obsession over youth well. At times though the wit became too much and would cause me to lose focus because it was going on for 3 of 4 pages about one not even really related to the story subject. Chapter 11, where it tells what Dorian is up to for the rest of his 20s and early 30, wtf was that? Complete mess. I just started to skim after a few pages of that chapter. I really did like the plot though, from the picture changing and Dorian justifying everything then eventually not caring because he still looked fresh. I really wanted the sailor to kill him though.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great story about some despicable and jaded people.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Big fan, reread this for a project. Wish Wilde’s publisher hadn’t rushed the added chapters to this version, however.Later edit: Boy, I really didn't feel like writing much when I put that one up. Ok, this is a 4.5 star rating. I adore Wilde's prose, no matter how much my peers might criticize his aesthetic style. I know it's hypocritical to the "message" of the story (subject of the paper mentioned earlier) but I don't really care, it's indulgent and lovely and beautiful. I don't have the skills required to describe it as nicely as he could. Ah, what a guy.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is a fascinating book. No wonder it's a classic!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Surprisingly good read of a classic that I had known little about. The only thing I knew about the story came from the terrible move "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" where Dorian Gray is one of the characters. I had higher hopes for the book and I was happy by the time I finished.
The language used by Wilde in telling this story is beautiful. I enjoyed his writing style and his ability to create characters that expound on life and its virtues and flaws. To see the personal character of Gray go from purely good to evil is a fascinating experience. To read about the influence of both good and evil characters on his development is also fun.
Like many classics, I found that the story itself moved along at a very slow pace. It was more about the conversations and thoughts of the characters than moving the plot along. However, I enjoyed the read and recommend it to all fans of literature. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Loved it and it was so different from the movie! It had such a strong message that was lost when made into film.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I was really surprised by this book. It was better than I thought it would be I really enjoyed it.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't look at yourself too closely in the mirror or you might spot some wrinkles starting to crack through. Wilde's foray into horror is stupendous!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Loved it. Consistently interesting, though a few of the speeches dragged on as did a few of Wilde's "detailing paragraphs." Though I may not have agreed with everything that was said, overall it was very good, and Wilde is a beautiful writer.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Although I'm not a fan of Oscar Wilde, I decided to make it through this book. Wilde has a way with words and descriptions of anything like no other author. He slowly built Dorian Gray into what he wanted the reader to see. It made me wonder whether Dorian was like this all along or was it the fault of his friend Henry. I trudged through pages of what I felt was too much detail, but in the end the book was worth reading.