Re-Reading the Ambassadors

Some days ago I read The Ambassadors by Henry James for the first time.

Over the past couple of days, I have been re-reading the last six "books" again; his writing is that good and/or that difficult, I needed to read it again, and, at the same time, read Sparknotes summary of what I had just read to ensure what I had just read.

So much of what is said in the novel is not written. Rather it is in the nuances of the dialogue. In fact, after re-reading it, it often feels like I am reading a play. The beginning of each "chapter" or "episode" is set up, as if for the stagehands, and then the dialogue begins.

It is a most bittersweet book. For Strether, it is another episode of The Beast in the Jungle.

I can see why Henry James considered this his best book. It must have taken a lot out of him to write it, looking back over his own life. Hmmm.