The Ambassadors
The Ambassadors
Book for December 2018
Group 3

was first published in 1903. This dark comedy follows the trip of protagonist Lewis Lambert Strether to Europe in pursuit of Chad Newsome, his widowed fiancée's wayward son; he is to bring the young man back to the family business, but unexpectedly himself falls victim to the charms of the seductress which is both the Parisienne Chad has fallen for and Europe itself. Strether having become wayward himself, his American fiancee sends further ambassadors to return forthwith with her son, the most important of them is Chad's sister Sarah Pocock who is fast to condemn her brother and his mistress. Strether meanwhile counsels Chad to not leave Marie, himself, however, resists further temptation and returns to America.

About the Author
Henry James

Henry James, born 15 April 1843 in New York City, is regarded as one of the key figures of 19th-century literary realism. James settled in London, England, where he lived until his death on 28 February 1916, becoming a British subject one year before. He is best known for a number of novels showing Americans encountering Europe and Europeans. His method of writing from the point of view of a character within a tale allows him to explore issues related to consciousness and perception, his style in later works has been compared to impressionist painting. James was also an important literary critic.

Other books we've read by the same author:

The Portrait of a Lady