Lambert strether, a mild middle-aged american of no particular achievements, is dispatched to paris from the manufacturing empire of woollett, massachusetts. the mission conferred on him by his august patron, mrs newsome, is to discover what, or who, is keeping her son chad in the notorious city of pleasure, and to bring him home. but strether finds chad transformed by the influence of a remarkable woman; and as the parisian spring advances, he himself succumbs to the allure of the 'vast bright babylon' and to the mysterious charm of madame de vionnet. the text of this oxford world's classics paperback is that of the new york edition, with james's preface. about the series: for over 100 years oxford world's classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. each affordable volume reflects oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.