The Ambassadors

Henry James 1903 book The Ambassadors was first released as a serial in the North American Review (NAR). The dark comedy book centers on Lewis Lambert Strether the main character as he travels to Europe to reintegrate the son of his widowed fiancée into the family company. The book is told from Strethers perspective in the third person. The novel consists of Lewis Lambert Strether (character in the novel) being sent to Paris by his fiancée to find her wayward son Chad. Strethers transition from an American to a European perspective is detailed in the book. Strether encounters Maria Gostrey who provides him with insightful information on European culture (and the reader). Strethers personal introduction to Paris begins to widen his own head and heart to a more expansive understanding of the possibilities the world has to offer. Strethers friendship with Madame de Vionnet will be severed if Chad decides to go back to Woollett. Even for Jamess work The Ambassadors publishing history is convoluted. Before The Wings of the Dove (1902) between October 1900 and July 1901 he wrote the book but he did not immediately find a publisher.