manwithanagenda's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This first part of the second of three (!) trilogies concerning the Forsytes does not have the epic sweep or grandeur of 'The Forsyte Saga'. Many of the more dynamic characters of the previous books are marginalized or not present at all, leaving us with Fleur and Michael, and her father Soames.
The plot revolves around the question of Fleur's affections. Her husband, Michael, well remembers Fleur's sudden turn-around considering his suit and knows that her love for him, if there at all, is more of convenience than passion. Will she abandon him for another? Meanwhile, he introduces the wife of a former employee to a line of work not considered 'suitable' by the world at large. Soames tests his conscience when he finds out about a scandal after being newly appointed as trustee to a financial concern.
Everything and everyone is uneasy, it seems. The writing is far cry from the more modern styles of some of Galsworthy's contemporaries, but he hits on the unease and the open acknowledgement of moral ambiguity. The cracks that were appearing when Soames reflected with horror on all the common people strolling in Hyde Park are now ravines. A person's backgrounds and connections are no guarantee of their behavior, conversation is less about information and more about affect, and Soames' eyes, as well as others, are turned up to the sky and thinking of fire raining down from the skies.
That was the single most interesting thing about the novel to me. The first World War hardly received a mention, but it plays in the minds of the characters of 'The White Monkey'. The characters also know it is not the last war either. The advent of airplanes used in warfare and the possibility of bombs falling on London is reflected on more than once.
Overall, I liked the novel, but it was easy for me to occasionally forget about the book and move on to others for weeks at a time. These characters are worth further consideration, but they don't have the sparkle of Irene or June.
'A Modern Comedy'
Previous (The Forsyte Saga): 'To Let'
Next: 'The Silver Spoon'
The plot revolves around the question of Fleur's affections. Her husband, Michael, well remembers Fleur's sudden turn-around considering his suit and knows that her love for him, if there at all, is more of convenience than passion. Will she abandon him for another? Meanwhile, he introduces the wife of a former employee to a line of work not considered 'suitable' by the world at large. Soames tests his conscience when he finds out about a scandal after being newly appointed as trustee to a financial concern.
Everything and everyone is uneasy, it seems. The writing is far cry from the more modern styles of some of Galsworthy's contemporaries, but he hits on the unease and the open acknowledgement of moral ambiguity. The cracks that were appearing when Soames reflected with horror on all the common people strolling in Hyde Park are now ravines. A person's backgrounds and connections are no guarantee of their behavior, conversation is less about information and more about affect, and Soames' eyes, as well as others, are turned up to the sky and thinking of fire raining down from the skies.
That was the single most interesting thing about the novel to me. The first World War hardly received a mention, but it plays in the minds of the characters of 'The White Monkey'. The characters also know it is not the last war either. The advent of airplanes used in warfare and the possibility of bombs falling on London is reflected on more than once.
Overall, I liked the novel, but it was easy for me to occasionally forget about the book and move on to others for weeks at a time. These characters are worth further consideration, but they don't have the sparkle of Irene or June.
'A Modern Comedy'
Previous (The Forsyte Saga): 'To Let'
Next: 'The Silver Spoon'
pescarox's review
3.0
In the first book of the second trilogy in the Forsyte Chronicles, Galsworthy gives us Soames in the autumn of his life enduring the Jazz Age. His daughter is now married, flitting about, ‘collecting’ interesting people and filling her home with everything but babies. Life seems to have taken on an unreality after the Great War and the younger generation seems determined not to take anything too seriously. That is unless you are of the lower classes. In The White Monkey the reader is introduced to a cockney couple whose lives are entangled with the Forsytes.
kathryn08's review
3.0
I remember finding the first volume of The Forsyte Saga difficult to get into, and being very irritated with Soames, and this one was no exception, although Soames seemed to be slightly improved.
I was also a little irritated with his daughter, Fleur, at times, although I also felt some sympathy for her restlessness as I’ve felt like that as well on occasion. I felt sorry for her husband, Michael, as he was obviously a very good man and loved her very much and would do anything to please her.
I enjoyed the story of the Bickets who wanted to save enough money to get to Central Australia and would love to know what happened to them!
I was also a little irritated with his daughter, Fleur, at times, although I also felt some sympathy for her restlessness as I’ve felt like that as well on occasion. I felt sorry for her husband, Michael, as he was obviously a very good man and loved her very much and would do anything to please her.
I enjoyed the story of the Bickets who wanted to save enough money to get to Central Australia and would love to know what happened to them!
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