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cag91's review against another edition
2.0
This was a light, summer read, and I enjoyed it as such. However, it didn't really grab my attention, and I doubt I'd read it again (or would have picked it up in the first place if it weren't for a 'light summer read' month at book club).
laurawright's review against another edition
1.0
Wanted to love this book (because its Julian "Downtown Abbey, Gosford Park" Fellowes) but just didn't really have a clue what was going on or who people were.
contessacarmilla's review against another edition
4.0
Snobs by Julian Fellowes is a magnificent, insightful recap of the British aristocracy of the 21st century.
The main character is an unnamed man who tells us the story of his friend Edith. She is a gold- or perhaps better said a title-digger. Raised as on only child of fairly wealthy high-middle class parents, she always aimed higher. The fact that her mother was infatuated with aristocracy did not help her chose a different path of life.
When she meets Charles, the Earl Broughton through her friend the Narrator it becomes quite apparent what will follow. The Earls mother, Lady Uckfield is everything but pleased with his son marring one of the outsiders, but that does not stop Charles from marring Edith. 92230
Afterwards we follow their married life, full of scandal and sometimes completely lacking it which unfortunately leads to something quite unwanted in the high society.
I really enjoyed this book. It was quite easy to read and the plot was very undisturbed and there for quite nice flowing. The way the book was written was a but unexpected, but not in any way unpleasant. I actually found it refreshing to read about the main character from the view of her biased friend, the Narrator.
I would surely recommend this book to anyone searching for intrigue and a satirical look at the Aristocracy, which despite the irony truly charms you.
The main character is an unnamed man who tells us the story of his friend Edith. She is a gold- or perhaps better said a title-digger. Raised as on only child of fairly wealthy high-middle class parents, she always aimed higher. The fact that her mother was infatuated with aristocracy did not help her chose a different path of life.
When she meets Charles, the Earl Broughton through her friend the Narrator it becomes quite apparent what will follow. The Earls mother, Lady Uckfield is everything but pleased with his son marring one of the outsiders, but that does not stop Charles from marring Edith. 92230
Afterwards we follow their married life, full of scandal and sometimes completely lacking it which unfortunately leads to something quite unwanted in the high society.
I really enjoyed this book. It was quite easy to read and the plot was very undisturbed and there for quite nice flowing. The way the book was written was a but unexpected, but not in any way unpleasant. I actually found it refreshing to read about the main character from the view of her biased friend, the Narrator.
I would surely recommend this book to anyone searching for intrigue and a satirical look at the Aristocracy, which despite the irony truly charms you.
larooster's review against another edition
2.0
Very tedious. Probably missed some British sayings/jokes as well.
kmlanahan's review against another edition
3.0
This is a short book (5 cds, maybe, with an extra cd of and interview with the author). It is a comedy of manners, a story of social climbing, preservation of the aristocracy, and steadfastness.
I appreciated the way the author (who reads the book) helped explain the class structure in England and how it worked. The novel (or novella, not quite sure) doesn't moralize, it just presents the system, and shows the struggle to break into it (by non-peers) and the struggle to keep it.
The story itself is a simple one of marriage, dissolution, and reconciliation. The interesting parts for me were the explanation of how class worked, and how difficult it can be in one's heart to make the leap.
It's not a great book, but it is entertaining, and especially if you think you'd be a good aristocrat, worth reading or listening to.
I appreciated the way the author (who reads the book) helped explain the class structure in England and how it worked. The novel (or novella, not quite sure) doesn't moralize, it just presents the system, and shows the struggle to break into it (by non-peers) and the struggle to keep it.
The story itself is a simple one of marriage, dissolution, and reconciliation. The interesting parts for me were the explanation of how class worked, and how difficult it can be in one's heart to make the leap.
It's not a great book, but it is entertaining, and especially if you think you'd be a good aristocrat, worth reading or listening to.
ar2chn30713's review against another edition
3.0
This is a well done book and reminscent of Downton Abbey. It's a more modern take on social climbing and the upper echelon. This is a decent filler for Downton Abbey fans but it's hard to really feel for any of the characters until the very end. But it is a fun beach read.
kbooksonbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I flew through this book. I haven't read a book that I've enjoyed this much in a really long time. It's basically Downton Abbey for the modern folks. We all love the snobbery, the exclusivity, and the completely different mindset of the peers of the English realm and all of that was here but in a modern setting. If you love Downton (he is the writer of that show) then you should just pick this up and give it a go.
melissa_k_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the tone of this. If you enjoy Gosford Park, Downton Abbey, others of that style, you will enjoy this book.