Strether leaves the monotony of his small American town and heads to Paris on a mission: to bring Chad Newsome, the son of his business partner, back to the United States. However, upon arriving in Paris, he discovers a life and a version of Chad that he never expected. Chad has matured and formed meaningful relationships, far from the reckless and indulgent young man Strether had imagined. Strether meets Madame de Vionnet and her daughter Marie, whose refined charm and intellect captivate him. As he interacts with them and becomes immersed in the elegance of Parisian culture, Strether begins to reevaluate his own values and the narrow confines of the life he pursued in America.

Volume I
Preface
Book First
I
II
III
Book Second
I
II
Book Third
I
II