The story revolves around the adventures and misadventures of Christopher Newman. The book is a combination of social comedy and melodrama. Christopher Newman is an American businessman is on his first tour of Europe. He is a very good hearted person.Since he has experienced the harsh and simple realities of the 19th century American business, Newman wants to find a world which is different. He finds both beauty and ugliness of Europe during his visit, and he is able to learn to take neither of them for granted.The central plot of the story is based on Newman's courtship of a young widow. She belongs to a rich and aristocrat Parisian family.