John Galsworthy (1867–1933)

Enjoyable insofar as it gives me more insight in the characters from tv-series The Forsyte Saga (2002), which are all relatively flat. This novel is the first of three books upon which the series is based. I love how the book tries to explain the emotions and considerations of all characters (and it turns out there are even more Forsyte family members than appear in the television series) involved in the plot. Galsworthy occasionally goes of into a philosophical rant about the London fog, leaves on trees, or the mysteries of human nature. These tangents are hard for me to follow. Another reason the book is difficult to read is that parts of the plot are communicated implicitly to the reader, by characters alluding to events in the most circumspect manner possible -- the characters being British and Victorian and true Forsytes. I've not decided whether I will continue with book 2. On the one hand, the book feels like bonus material for one of my favorite costume dramas. On the other hand, the writing style is not superenjoyable.… (mais)