The Ambassadors (Penguin Classics) - Softcover

James, Henry

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140432337 ISBN 13: 9780140432336

Publisher: Penguin Classics, 1986

Synopsis

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, the comtesse de Vionnet. As the summer wears on, Mrs Newsome comes to the conclusion that she must send another envoy to Paris to confront the errant Chad, and a Strether whose view of the world has changed profoundly. James's favourite novel and one of the greatest of his late works, The Ambassadors is a subtle and often witty exploration of different American responses to a European environment.

About this title

Review:

'... the Cambridge Edition reproduces James's fiction as it originally appeared to his contemporary book-buying public, collectively charting a half century of artistic development, stylistic invention, and cultural history. It gives readers options, and in the case of The Ambassadors the choice of the Cambridge Edition is a deeply satisfying one. ... One of the Cambridge Edition's many strengths is the attention the editors pay to textual history and the historical development of James's fiction within biographical, literary, and cultural contexts ... many will agree that the Cambridge Edition is 'quite the best, 'all round' edition ...' Sarah Wadsworth, Review of English Studies

'One of] two handsome volumes in their Cambridge maroon cloth covers with gilt stamping on the binding and James's familiar signature on the covers are crucial additions to the resources scholars will use for generations to study the greatest novelist of the modern period.' John Carlos Rowe, The Henry James Review

Book Description:

The original American in Paris. This dark comedy, seen as one of the masterpieces of James's final period, has all the elements of great writing, brilliant plot and gorgeous setting: An Edwardian gentleman from the States arrives in seedy and sophisticated Paris to rescue his wayward future step son. But his innocent American background has not prepared him for such seduction...
Beautiful hardback gift edition of this collectable classic.

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Publication date: 1986
• ISBN 10: 0140432337
• ISBN 13: 9780140432336
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 528
• Editor: Levin Harry