The Ambassadors

by Henry James
The Ambassadors cover
Good Books rating 3.5
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  • ID: 5309
  • Added: 2025-10-23
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • Formats: 5
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
Tredynas Days · 2025-05-27
intriguing 3.50

The reviewer initially disliked this book but changed their opinion after rereading. The novel's depth and complexity were appreciated more on a second read.

This reviewer had a fascinating journey with this novel. They started off with a negative reaction, finding it perhaps too dense or difficult to engage with initially. However, upon rereading, they discovered a new appreciation for the book's intricate layers and the nuanced way it explores its themes. It's a testament to the novel's depth that a second reading can reveal so much more, transforming an initially negative experience into a positive one. The reviewer's change of heart highlights how rewarding it can be to revisit challenging books, as they often yield fresh insights and a deeper understanding.

Quick quotes

    My initial reaction to this long, late Henry James novel was negative.

    Then I started rereading, and my response was very different.

    It's a testament to the novel's depth that a second reading can reveal so much more.

Lotz in Translation · 2020-03-04
mixed 3.00

The reviewer found the book's aesthetic sense overwhelming, overshadowing the intended message. The novel's style is both its strength and its weakness.

The reviewer had a nuanced take on this book, appreciating its remarkable aesthetic sense but feeling that it sometimes overpowered the message the author wished to convey. This tension between style and substance is a recurring theme in discussions of Henry James' works, and this reviewer is no exception. They acknowledge the brilliance of James' prose and the intricate way he crafts his narratives, but they also feel that this can sometimes detract from the deeper themes and messages. It's a balancing act that not all readers will navigate in the same way, but this reviewer's perspective offers a thoughtful critique of this aspect of the novel.

Quick quotes

    My main criticism of this book, then, is that James's remarkable aesthetic sense overpowered whatever message he wished to transmit.

    The novel's style is both its strength and its weakness.

    This tension between style and substance is a recurring theme in discussions of Henry James' works.

NPR · 2008-12-01
great 4.00

The reviewer found the book's subtle action and dense conversations captivating, making reading feel like a heightened experience. The novel's complexity is both challenging and rewarding.

This reviewer was deeply engaged by the novel's subtle action and dense conversations, which they found to be both challenging and rewarding. The reviewer felt that they had to pay close attention to every word, as the nuances and subtleties were so important to the overall experience. This level of engagement made reading feel like a heightened, almost immersive experience. The reviewer appreciated the way James crafts his narratives, creating a sense of depth and complexity that is both demanding and satisfying. It's a book that requires patience and attention, but the rewards are well worth the effort.

Quick quotes

    The action was so subtle and the conversations so dense I could scarcely blink for fear of missing something.

    Suddenly reading felt more like a heightened, almost immersive experience.

    The reviewer appreciated the way James crafts his narratives, creating a sense of depth and complexity that is both demanding and satisfying.

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