Henry James novels aren't the easiest reading. Long, complex sentences, of course. One technique is dialogue that is ambiguous to the reader but presented as completely understood by the participants in the conversation. I rather like being left to guess. And I like the writing, but would say it's also nice to finish and move back into "easier" writing.
Still - I definitely will continue with more of his stuff.
I like that the characters have a lot of depth, give the reader a lot to think about, James himself doesn't give clear conclusions about them. Strether (lead character here) - we don't really know how much his judgment was clouded, or assisted (or some of both?), by his personal history (an older, fine, gentlemen but feeling that he had "missed out" along the way) or by his reaction to Madame de Vionnet (charmed to the point of perhaps being a bit in love with her?)
And on down the line - characters with multiple motivations and interests, not always clear what's going on - like in real life! OK Mrs. Newsome probably unidimensional, though we only know her second-hand.
The descriptions of Paris seem a bit fawning, though author backs off that (just) a bit at the end.
Protagonist: Lambert Strether (wife died young, son 10 years later)
Maria Gostrey - Strether meets her upon arrival in Europe; immediate affinity; challenges him
Strether's old friend Waymarsh who he meets in England, they go to Paris together for Strether's meeting with Chad Newsome
Mrs. Newsome - Chad's mother - Strether is her "Ambassador" - he's sent to convince Chad to return home after several years in Paris.
Her daughter marries a Pocock - they come to Paris (more "Ambassadors!") when Strether appears to be off track
Mrs. Newsome wants Chad to marry Pocock's sister (another "Ambassador"), she also comes to Paris
Little Bilham
Chad Newsome
Madame de Vionnet and daughter Jeanne
Miss Barrace
