Book #171 - The Ambassadors by Henry James

In "The Ambassadors," Lambert Strether is sent by his fiancée, Mrs. Newsome, to Paris to convince her son, Chad, to return home and take over his family business. As Strether explores European society, he grapples with cultural differences, moral dilemmas, and his own growing sense of self. He becomes increasingly charmed by Paris and its inhabitants, particularly Madame de Vionnet and Chad, leading him to question his initial mission and his own values. The novel explores themes of choice, sacrifice, and the nature of happiness as Strether navigates the complexities of reconciling personal desires with societal expectations.

LOCATION: Maison Internationale des Associations, salle Albert Jacquard
Presenter: VOLUNTEER WANTED
Starting time: 19:15 sharp
Format:

• Members introduction (5-10 minutes)
• Book presentation (20-30 minutes)

A brief history of the author’s life
A short summary of the book
Main ideas/themes

• Group discussion (45-60 minutes), members' personal views on the book, opposing ideas, etc.
• Announcement/info on next meeting (5 minutes)

Note: reading the book is not a "must" to attend the meeting, but encouraged if you want to actively participate in the discussion.
We look forward to seeing you all!
Upcoming events: https://www.genevainternationalbookclub.com/post/future
Past events: https://www.genevainternationalbookclub.com/post/_past
Presentation slides (current year): https://www.genevainternationalbookclub.com/post/slides-2025