The Ambassadors
The Ambassadors by Henry James, published by National Geographic Books on June 24, 2008, is a New Ed edition comprising 544 pages. This novel presents a nuanced exploration of the complexities of living well, as it follows Strether, who is sent from Massachusetts to Paris by his mother, Mrs. Newsome, to retrieve her son Chad from a potentially compromising situation. As Strether navigates the enchanting city, he finds himself increasingly captivated by its charm and begins to question his original mission.
Readers will discover a rich narrative that delves into themes of personal transformation and cultural encounters. The story unfolds as Strether’s perceptions shift, revealing a contrast between his initial intentions and the allure of Paris, influenced by characters such as Madame de Vionnet and her daughter, Jeanne. This edition includes an introduction and notes by Adrian Poole, providing context about the novel’s place within James’s body of work and its depiction of Americans in Europe. The Ambassadors serves as a thoughtful examination of the interplay between environment and character, making it a significant entry in the literary canon.
Official synopsis Publisher
The greatest expression of his talent for witty, observant explorations of what it means to ‘live well’, Henry James’s The Ambassadors is edited with an introduction and notes by Adrian Poole in Penguin Classics.
Concerned that her son Chad may have become involved with a woman of dubious reputation, the formidable Mrs Newsome sends her ‘ambassador’ Strether from Massachusetts to Paris to extricate him. Strether’s mission, however, is gradually undermined as he falls under the spell of the city and finds Chad refined rather than corrupted by its influence and that of his charming companion, Madame de Vionnet, and her daughter, Jeanne. As the summer wears on, Mrs Newsome concludes that she must send another envoy to confront the errant Chad – and a Strether whose view of the world has changed profoundly. One of the greatest of James’s late works, The Ambassadors is a subtle and witty exploration of different responses to a European environment.
This edition of The Ambassadors includes a chronology, further reading, glossary, notes and an introduction discussing the novel in the context of James’s other works on Americans in Europe, and the novel’s portrayal of Paris.
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