The Ambassadors

Originally serialised within the North American Review in 1903 and published in book form later the same year, The Ambassadors uses a rather contrived plot to further examine European society through the eyes of an innocent American. Here the principal expatriate is represented by Lambert Strether who is sent off to Europe by his rich fiancé in search of her wayward son Chad. During his trip, Strether comes to question his American upbringing and, in the process doubt, the sense in his forthcoming marriage, especially when he meets, through Chad, Marie de Vionnet and her daughter Jeanne. The Ambassadors was one of the highlights of James' late period, using dark, and at times, a terribly subtle ironic slant to cut a slice into American mores. Many critics consider the novel James' best though the dissenters cite plot irregularities or at least the choices of Strether as its weak points.