The Ambassadors

Description

Henry James is one of the most popular English writers of the 19th century, with many of his works being widely studied and appreciated. One of this last works, “The Ambassadors”, is a dark comedy about an American who is fascinated by Europe and gets entangled by the Parisian way of life.

The novel has Lewis Lambert Strether as the main protagonist. A man in his 50s, he is not really that experienced as he has never travelled far. He is from Woollett, Massachusetts, but he is about to make the journey of his life when his wealthy fiancée who has become widowed gives him a mission to find her son Chad and return him to her.

The novel follows Strether and the narrative is given from his own point of view. Before arriving in Paris, he decides to make a stop in England. It is there that he meets Maria Gostrey, an American who had been living for quite a few years in the country. She surprises him with her cynical and critical attitude of Americans and her changed perspective on the world.

Strether eventually manages to get to Paris where he meets Chad. However, he is astounded to find that Chad is not that wayward son he thought he was, but quite different. He remarks that the young boy is changed, and that for the better. Chad takes the protagonist to a party where he meets Maria and her daughter Julie, yet Strether cannot understand which woman Chad actually loves.

Stretcher becomes immersed in the Parisian way of life and considers whether to remain on the old continent or not. His fiancée, Mrs. Newsome, eventually sends a series of ambassadors to look for those two and get Chad back home to family business, including her harsh sister.

“The Ambassador” is not just a great read, but also a fresh perspective on how we view the world and how we react to the new we encounter along the way.
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