"In Mrs. Osmond, John Banville continues the story of Isabel Archer, the young protaganist of Henry James's beloved novel The portrait of a lady. Eager but naïve, in James's novel Isabel comes into a large, unforeseen inheritance and marries the charming, penniless, and -- as Isabel finds out too late -- cruel and deceitful Gilbert Osmond. Here Banville imagines Isabel's second chapter, telling the story of a woman reawakened by grief and the knowledge that she has been greatly wronged and determined to resume her quest for freedom and independence. A masterly novel of betrayal, corruption, and moral ambiguity, Mrs. Osmond would have thrilled James himself" -- Back cover.