'Henry James is as solitary in the history of the novel as Shakespeare is in the history of poetry' Graham Greene Isabel Archer's main aim in life is to protect her independence.

She is not interested in settling down and compromising her freedom for the sake of marriage.

However, on a trip around Europe with her aunt, she finds herself captivated by the charming Gilbert Osmond, who is very interested in the idea of adding Isabel to his collection of beautiful artworks...