Oneoughttochoosesomethingverydeliberately,andbefaithfultothat.’IsabelArcherisayoung,intelligent,andspiritedAmericangirl,determinedtorelishherfirstexperienceofEurope.Sherejectstwoeligiblesuitorsinherferventcommitmenttolibertyandindependence,declaringthatshewillnevermarry.ThankstothegenerosityofherdevotedcousinRalph,sheisfreetomakeherownchoiceaboutherdestiny.YetintheintoxicatingworldsofParis,Florence,andRome,herfondillusionsofself-reliancearetwistedbythemachinationsofherfriendsandapparentallies.Whathadseemedtobeavistaofinfinitepromisesteadilyclosesaroundherandbecomesinsteada’houseofsuffocation’.ConsideredbymanyasoneofthefinestnovelsintheEnglishlanguage,thisisHenryJames’smostpoisedachievement,writtenattheheightofhisfamein1881.ItisatonceadramaticVictoriantaleofbetrayalandawhollymodernpsychologicalstudyofawomancaughtinawebofrelationssheonlycomestounderstandtoolate.ThiseditionreproducestherevisedNewYorkEdition,withJames’sownPreface.
