A review by schopflin
The Forsyte Saga Vol 2: The White Monkey, The Silver Spoon, Swan Song by John Galsworthy

funny reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

I read these three novels straight after each other, which was immersive and made me very attached to the characters. Each book starts slowly but draws you in, despite the shallow lives of so many of the characters. I never expected to have so much sympathy for Soames Forsyte, who is a magnificent creation. I also loved Michael Mont, Fleur less so. The social comedy is superb, and reminiscent of Trollope. Galsworthy treats the psychology differently, and it makes sense that he was contemporary with Woolf rather Dickens. This trilogy is not as immediately enticing as the first three but is well worth persevering with. And it does have a story arc that stretches back to the first book.

I was not expecting that ending! I am still trying to work out whether the symbolism of the picture gallery fire and Soames getting hit on the head with the Goya isn't too clunky and cheesy or is actually just right.