The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 1
Isabel Archer, a young American with ideas and no money, is brought to England by her aunt and installed at Gardencourt, her uncle's house on the Thames. She turns down two proposals, from a kindly English lord and a forceful American suitor, and when an inheritance makes her free she sets out for Italy, where the accomplished Madame Merle introduces her to a collector named Gilbert Osmond. Henry James serialized the novel in 1880 and 1881 and later called it his most considered early work. This first volume carries the story through chapter twenty-seven and opens with the preface James wrote for the New York Edition; the second volume completes it. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 1
The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 1 by Henry James can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 1 online?
Yes. The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 1 opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 1 free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 1 is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 1 in the public domain?
Yes. The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 1 by Henry James is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 1?
About 7 h 48 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 1?
The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 1 by Henry James is filed under "Fiction" in the Vinteuil library.
