The Ambassadors

"The Ambassadors" explores early 20th-century American Puritan values and their impact on the joy of life, as Lewis Strether is sent to Paris to persuade Chad, the son of his fiancée, to return to Massachusetts. Unexpectedly, Lewis finds Chad content abroad and begins to experience the allure of a society that embraces joy and fullness of life, challenging his own perspectives. First published to mixed reviews, the novel has since gained recognition as one of the significant works of the 20th century.