The Ambassadors by Henry James

This is a very complex story about Lewis Strather whose elegant, shallow fiance sends him to Paris to fetch her wayward son, Chad.  The middle-aged Lewis first stops in England.  He meets an American expatriate who has lived for years in Paris.  She surprises him with her cynical wit and makes him question what he's getting into.  When he arrives in Paris, he meets a lovely woman and her young daughter.  At first he is unsure which of the two women Chad is interested in.  Lewis quickly becomes interested in the mother and gains greater perspective.  He also learns to judge situations individually and on their own merit.  Chad's mother sends more "ambassadors" to get Chad to come home.  Lewis runs into Chad and the mother at an inn and realizes they are the two that have a romantic relationship.  Lewis advises Chad to stay in Paris, but he returns to America.  Henry James always writes with sophistication and elegance.  I found this particular book to be more interesting than some of James' others.  It still takes some time and commitment to read it all.