Reviews

Good Behaviour by Molly Keane

schnauzermum's review against another edition

5.0

Darkly comic or sad? Perhaps both. The writing is exquisite and Aroon is a thoroughly deluded narrator. One to read and re-read.

plankpot's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

3.5

emily_gaynier's review against another edition

4.0

3.75

I read 100% of this book while flying home from Ireland. It was totally a cover buy and while I was very confused while reading the first third of the book, I ended up enjoying it very much.

The book starts off with Aroon in her fifties taking care of her mother with the 'help' of their maid Rose. Then the story flashes back to follow Aroon's childhood governess as she works for the family of Richard, a boy that Arron will meed years later, and then the governess working for Aroon's family. Then the story is of Aroon growing up and her family's unhealthy relationships with each other and being on their best behavior.

I bought this book at the Dublin Writer's Museum along with three others. I almost put it down about halfway through the book, but I knew that if I didn't keep reading I would never pick it up again. At that point in the book I found it slow and not entirely interesting, but as I continued I became engrossed. I plan on rereading soon

sportula's review against another edition

dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

patsmith139's review against another edition

3.0

Probably a 3.5 in reality. Molly Keene’s writing is undoubtedly very accomplished-I certainly felt sympathy for the very unlovely main character. There was so much hidden and I’m sure I missed some of the references to affairs with servants, masturbation, alcoholism, homosexuality and more besides. And what exactly did cause Aroon’s mother’s death at the beginning of the novel? I liked the ending but it was bittersweet because you just had to go back to know everything did not end happily ever after. A sad tale about many many unfulfilled lives that was just a bit too bleak for me.

carolyneaton's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Good Behaviour is about a decaying genteel Anglo Irish family in the 1920s. The story is told by the daughter of the house, yet she does not grasp what is going on at all. It’s a very clever novel in its construction, but the characters are fairly grotesque and so I found it hard to like. 

elaineofastolat's review against another edition

2.0

I must have missed something, because I didn’t think there was anything at all funny about this book. It was downright depressing. Poor Aroon. The only saving saving grace was the last two pages.

This is the last time I read a book because I love the cover.

deesoupdragon's review against another edition

dark emotional funny sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

erinalbion's review against another edition

4.0

What wonderful writing about such horrible people.

trage_cortina's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5