If you haven't read the book till the end don't click here!

[Ola]

Did you cry when Ralph Touchett died?

At first I wasn't really a fan of this character, but as the story proceeded I felt that he is really sweet and caring even though he doesn't admit it (or see himself that way). I cried when he died and I felt Isabel's agony. Henry James is a brilliant writer.

[Heather]

I have been deeply moved by the death scene of Ralph Touchett many times. Everything that leads up to that moment, especially for Isabel, and all that descends after it. This is one of my favorite novels of all time, so I am probably biased, but the love between Ralph and Isabel is as complex as it is beautiful. Literally one of my favorite literary loves! Every time I get to the end of the novel, however, when Isabel decides to return to Rome and her horrible husband, I want to toss the book at the wall. But I feel the ending is true to her character. As much as I adore Isabel Archer, she is flawed. Her pride is too much in the end. But her independent spirit remains in tack, battered, but still breathing. Some of Ralph's final words, "and remember this, that if you've been hated, you've also been loved." It's his love in the end that matters most. It will sustain her.

[Ola]

Heather wrote: "I have been deeply moved by the death scene of Ralph Touchett many times. Everything that leads up to that moment, especially for Isabel, and all that descends after it. This is one of my favorite ..."

I agree with you about Isabel's flaws. And yes, I was so pissed at the ending!!

[Seonad]

I too also was annoyed by the ending, but on reading the notes it states that Caspar should remain hopeful at Henrietta's final words, meaning perhaps she is not going back just to be with evil husband? Maybe she is going back to dump him!

[Heather]

Perhaps to dump him AFTER Pansy is safely married off. Isabel is big on commitments, and she did promise Pansy she would return. I personally didn't care enough about Pansy to have Isabel return to an abusive relationship for her. However, it is true to Isabel's nature to fulfill this "duty." I have always secretly hoped she dumped Gilbert after this! I don't need her to be with Goodwood, but to be free of Gilbert Osmond! I wish she could just live unmarried in her uncle's house and maybe have various lovers over for tea and discussions and ....

[Cora]

I found the ending ambiguous. All that's revealed is that she did not go off with Goodwood and returned to Rome. Who knows, maybe after returning to Rome she brought Osmond to heel, like she had with Mme. Merle. That's one of my favorite fantasies. I think the ambiguity is what gives so many of James' novels life. What happened to Strether once he left Paris? Or Densher after he gives Kate the inheritance? Of course wondering about the endings is half the fun, which is one of the reasons I find the novels so satisfying.

[Heather]

Well put! Ambiguity...oh, so much to love about James. I was once asked in an interview to name the five literary characters I'd invite to a dinner party. Isabel Archer and Ralph Touchett were on the list. This is taking the conversation in a new direction, but I read some criticism recently on James' female characters, in particular Isabel Archer. I have always been awed by James' understanding of his female characters and the female psyche. Isabel is complex and flawed and absolutely believable. She's strong minded, strong willed, determined, and yet quite vulnerable (dare I say even malleable) and too proud. I love her...even at the end, although I want to shake her. Any thoughts on her as a well rounded female character? Flawed, certainly, but who isn't?

[Ola]

Heather wrote: "Well put! Ambiguity...oh, so much to love about James. I was once asked in an interview to name the five literary characters I'd invite to a dinner party. Isabel Archer and Ralph Touchett were on t..."

I couldn't agree more that Henry James understands women. When I first read this novel I thought to myself "how come the author of this book is a male??"