“Michael Gorra’s wise and worldly new critical edition of James’s first masterpiece will help readers of all persuasions appreciate
The Portrait of a Lady
as a brilliant experiment in the art of the novel; as a landmark in the emergence of American literature; and as an open-ended, quietly terrifying meditation on American identity in its encounter with the world.”
—Mary Loeffelholz,
Northeastern University
This Norton Critical Edition includes: • The New York Edition of the novel, accompanied by Michael Gorra’s introduction and explanatory footnotes. • Background and contextual materials centering on James as a writer,
in revision, and reviews of the novel by James’s contemporaries. • Seven important critical essays, chosen for their accessibility. • A Chronology and Suggestions for Further Reading. About the Series Read by more than 12 million students over fifty-five years, Norton Critical Editions set the standard for apparatus that is right for undergraduate readers. The three-part format—annotated text, contexts, and criticism—helps students to better understand, analyze, and appreciate the literature, while opening a wide range of teaching possibilities for instructors. Whether in print or in digital format, Norton Critical Editions provide all the resources students need.