Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
New American Library (1967), Paperback, 301 pages
Description
London of the 1880s: The Forsyte family is gathered - gloves, waistcoats, feathers and frocks - to celebrate the engagement of young June Forstye to an architect, Philip Bosinney. The family are intrigued but wary of this stranger in their midst, who they nickname 'the Buccaneer'. Amongst those present are Soames Forsyte and his beautiful wife Irene - his most prized possession. With that meeting a chain of heartbreaking and tragic events is set in motion that will split the family to the very core...
User reviews
LibraryThing member fyrefly98
Summary: The Forsytes are a prime example of upper-middle class London in the late Victorian era. Descended from a successful working man, the ten siblings that make up the elder generation of Forsytes live in the lap of luxury, yet are constantly conscious of their position and their possessions.
Review: My first introduction to the Forsyte Saga was through the DVDs of the recent miniseries, due to my Netflix's strange tendency to accumulate British costume dramas. As a result, I was already familiar with the characters (and thank goodness, too, because there are a crowded city block's worth of them) and I knew all of the main plot points, since it turns out the miniseries followed at least the first book extremely closely. Therefore, I was able to follow along with the story relatively easily, and pay more attention to the flow of the prose and the tone of the language.
And, it turns out, for all of my usual whining about how hard it is for me to deal with the language of the classics, that I really enjoyed Galsworthy's writing. I was pleasantly surprised by was Galsworthy's ability at evoking a scene. He's particularly good at describing the feeling of a night, or of a spring morning, or of a foggy London street, in language that is clear and gorgeously evocative, albeit occasionally a little purple. He doesn't focus on the "furniture" of a situation, and often doesn't provide a lot of scenic details, but is so good at evoking the tone of a scene that the details fill in themselves.
While I can't separate out how much of the characterizations were due to Galsworthy and how much were due to having watched the movies first, the characters really came alive for me. I'm actually going to say that it's mostly Galsworthy - Irene is more of an on-screen character in the movie, while in the book she's (intentionally) left as somewhat of a cipher, only ever seen through the eyes of the men around her. While reading, I found that she remained pretty mysterious, without the movie-version of her bleeding into my perception too much, so I'll give Galsworthy the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the other Forsytes as well. Certainly, the older Forsytes were a lot more at the fore in the book, with their own POV sections, and I find that I now understand James and Old Jolyon much better than I did after just watching the DVDs. It's one of those interesting books in which almost no character is entirely likable (maybe Young Jolyon?) or entirely blameless, and you're never entirely sure who to be angry at and who to pity - much like real life, in that way. And for all that it's a saga, it's not melodrama - it's a real-seeming (if somewhat extraordinary) family, full of real people, dealing with real problems and recognizable emotions. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: If you like your novels to come with extensive and complicated family trees, have I got a book for you! It's not for everyone, for sure, but if the phrase "Victorian family saga" piques your interest, then I found the first book of The Forsyte Saga to be surprisingly accessible.
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The first book in the Forsyte Saga primarily revolves around Soames Forsyte, one of the younger generation. Soames is well-to-do, and has possesses everything he could possibly want - except the affections of his wife, the beautiful but reserved Irene. Soames intends to move to the country, as a means of kindling some intimacy in their marriage, and he hires the young and struggling architect Phillip Bosinney, the fiancée of his niece, to design and build him a spectacular house at his property at Robin Hill. However, the heart of another is the one thing that can never be truly possessed, and Soames only slowly begins to realize that all of his wealth and status is not enough to buy him a loving marriage. Review: My first introduction to the Forsyte Saga was through the DVDs of the recent miniseries, due to my Netflix's strange tendency to accumulate British costume dramas. As a result, I was already familiar with the characters (and thank goodness, too, because there are a crowded city block's worth of them) and I knew all of the main plot points, since it turns out the miniseries followed at least the first book extremely closely. Therefore, I was able to follow along with the story relatively easily, and pay more attention to the flow of the prose and the tone of the language.
And, it turns out, for all of my usual whining about how hard it is for me to deal with the language of the classics, that I really enjoyed Galsworthy's writing. I was pleasantly surprised by was Galsworthy's ability at evoking a scene. He's particularly good at describing the feeling of a night, or of a spring morning, or of a foggy London street, in language that is clear and gorgeously evocative, albeit occasionally a little purple. He doesn't focus on the "furniture" of a situation, and often doesn't provide a lot of scenic details, but is so good at evoking the tone of a scene that the details fill in themselves.
While I can't separate out how much of the characterizations were due to Galsworthy and how much were due to having watched the movies first, the characters really came alive for me. I'm actually going to say that it's mostly Galsworthy - Irene is more of an on-screen character in the movie, while in the book she's (intentionally) left as somewhat of a cipher, only ever seen through the eyes of the men around her. While reading, I found that she remained pretty mysterious, without the movie-version of her bleeding into my perception too much, so I'll give Galsworthy the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the other Forsytes as well. Certainly, the older Forsytes were a lot more at the fore in the book, with their own POV sections, and I find that I now understand James and Old Jolyon much better than I did after just watching the DVDs. It's one of those interesting books in which almost no character is entirely likable (maybe Young Jolyon?) or entirely blameless, and you're never entirely sure who to be angry at and who to pity - much like real life, in that way. And for all that it's a saga, it's not melodrama - it's a real-seeming (if somewhat extraordinary) family, full of real people, dealing with real problems and recognizable emotions. 4 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: If you like your novels to come with extensive and complicated family trees, have I got a book for you! It's not for everyone, for sure, but if the phrase "Victorian family saga" piques your interest, then I found the first book of The Forsyte Saga to be surprisingly accessible.
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LibraryThing member Cariola
I've been meaning to read The Forsyte Saga for years, having enjoyed both TV dramatizations (1967 and 2002). And even though I know the story, I very much enjoyed this first book in the saga. Galsworthy gives us a lush, detailed view of late Victorian England's upper middle class and their mania
Galsworthy has created a cast of one-of-a-kind characters (or if they now seem like sterotypes, they were one-of-a-kind when first created). There are the senior Forsytes, Old Jolyon, James, Roger, and the aunts; the "black sheep," Young Jolyon, who married beneath him and was cut off by his father; Winifred, married to the alcoholic bounder Monty D'Arty; June, Young Jolyon's philanthropic daughter from a first marriage, and her dashing architect fiancé, Philip Bossiney, secretly dubbed by the family "The Buccaneer"; and many, many more.
There's a reason why Galsworthy's novels were so popular--and why not one but two dramatizations have been made. Quite simply, [The Forsyte Saga] is a jolly good story. I'm looking forward to moving on to the next six books in the saga.
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for property and respectability. Like every family, the Forsytes have their secrets and black sheep, and that makes them all the more intriguing. The focus here is the ramrod-spined solicitor Soames and his unhappy wife, Irene. Soames had courted Irene more for her beauty than for love, treating her like one of his exquisite objéts d'art. So determined was he to have her that he promised to let her go if she wanted her freedom. And here lies the crux of the story: Irene is dreadfully unhappy, yet Soames refuses to let her go.Galsworthy has created a cast of one-of-a-kind characters (or if they now seem like sterotypes, they were one-of-a-kind when first created). There are the senior Forsytes, Old Jolyon, James, Roger, and the aunts; the "black sheep," Young Jolyon, who married beneath him and was cut off by his father; Winifred, married to the alcoholic bounder Monty D'Arty; June, Young Jolyon's philanthropic daughter from a first marriage, and her dashing architect fiancé, Philip Bossiney, secretly dubbed by the family "The Buccaneer"; and many, many more.
There's a reason why Galsworthy's novels were so popular--and why not one but two dramatizations have been made. Quite simply, [The Forsyte Saga] is a jolly good story. I'm looking forward to moving on to the next six books in the saga.
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LibraryThing member Eyejaybee
Very entertaining, offering an excellent insight into the burgeoning Victorian commercial world.
Soames Forsyte seems to have everything, but the most important of his "assets", his beautiful wife Irene, does not return his affection and gradually becomes further estranged while simultaneously
The interplay between the numerous members of the Forsyte clan is brilliantly managed, particularly the gradual reconciliation between Old and Young Jolyon.
I am looking forward to the next in the series.
Soames Forsyte seems to have everything, but the most important of his "assets", his beautiful wife Irene, does not return his affection and gradually becomes further estranged while simultaneously
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becoming more friendly with impecunious architect Philip Bossiney, whom Soames has commissioned to design and build a fine new home in Surrey.The interplay between the numerous members of the Forsyte clan is brilliantly managed, particularly the gradual reconciliation between Old and Young Jolyon.
I am looking forward to the next in the series.
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LibraryThing member AdonisGuilfoyle
I felt I had to read this, an early modern classic as it is, but I wasn't inspired; to think that there is the rest of the trilogy to go, and *then* further novels is rather daunting! Galsworthy's style is lyrical and elaborate, fitting the Forsyte's era and his own, but I found the introspection
Whereas the author obviously loved his enigmatic heroine, as he did the model for Irene Forsyte, I didn't warm to her, or Bosinney, and my sympathy for Soames came to an abrupt close. In fact, the only likeable character for me was old Jolyon, and his tardy love of youth and beauty.
A fascinating study of middle-class England at the turn of the century, but perhaps too stolid to endure the entire saga!
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to be over-indulgent. There were some thoughtful sentiments and beautiful descriptions, however: Swithin's walk across the park as 'the flight of some land bird across the sea'. Whereas the author obviously loved his enigmatic heroine, as he did the model for Irene Forsyte, I didn't warm to her, or Bosinney, and my sympathy for Soames came to an abrupt close. In fact, the only likeable character for me was old Jolyon, and his tardy love of youth and beauty.
A fascinating study of middle-class England at the turn of the century, but perhaps too stolid to endure the entire saga!
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LibraryThing member Cecilturtle
I very much enjoyed this first book of the Forsyte Saga. It is very character driven and therefore interesting to anticipate decisions and actions that will be made, The psychology is carefully and gradually developed and the relationships between the characters intricately woven. I also enjoyed
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the juxtaposition of the architect with the property owner as the two main characters; it made for a good clash of personality at many levels. An enjoyable read - and although it leads to the sequel, it stands very well on its own. Show Less
LibraryThing member cdeuker
Soames Forsyte is the Man of Property, and the property he owns is both his house at Robin Hill and his wife. Treating his wife (Irene) as property leads to misery for both. Bossiney, the architect of the new home, becomes the lover of Irene. Soames reasserts his marital rights by raping Irene.
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Bossiney commits suicide; Irene leaves Soames. What's interesting is that at various points one starts to have sympathy for Soames only to then have him reveal his nature again. Also, I was quite taken with Galsworthy's ability to describe nature. Memorable passages. Show Less
LibraryThing member etxgardener
Galsworthy is an old-fashioned writer - almost Victorian in his style - so his writing might be hard for the modern reader. However, I would recommend that any reader would persevere with this heart breaking story of love, betrayal and loss.
The Forsyths of this saga are a large upper-middle class
Young June Forsyth is about to get engaged to an architect with a distinctly artistic bent. Philip Bossiney. This does not sit well with June's grandfather, Jolyon. Probably because his son, "Young Jolyon," ran off with June's governess ten years prior.
In complete contrast is Soames Forsyth. He is a solicitor and art collector and as steady (and dull) as possibly could be. He is married to the beautiful Irene who doesn't love him, but married him to escape her own unhappy home.
Bossiney is hired to build a country home for Soames and when he meets Irene, sparks fly instantly and they begin an affair. This is bad enough, but could have been kept a secret if only Bossinney would be a little less artistic and stick to his budget. Instead he runs over and Soames, in a fit of pique, sues him. Upon winning Irene shows her utter loathing for Soames and he exerts his rights as a husband. When Bossinney hears this, he runs out of his lodgings in a heavy fog to meet Irene and gets run over in the street.
Everyone is unhappy: Bossinney is dead, June has lost her finace, Irene has to return to her loveless marriage and Soames has to face the fact that, try as he might, he just isn't loveable.
The Forsyths of this saga are a large upper-middle class
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English family living comfortably in London's West End. The many members meet regularly at Timothy Forsyth's house to exchange news and family go And there is much to gossip about in this family.Young June Forsyth is about to get engaged to an architect with a distinctly artistic bent. Philip Bossiney. This does not sit well with June's grandfather, Jolyon. Probably because his son, "Young Jolyon," ran off with June's governess ten years prior.
In complete contrast is Soames Forsyth. He is a solicitor and art collector and as steady (and dull) as possibly could be. He is married to the beautiful Irene who doesn't love him, but married him to escape her own unhappy home.
Bossiney is hired to build a country home for Soames and when he meets Irene, sparks fly instantly and they begin an affair. This is bad enough, but could have been kept a secret if only Bossinney would be a little less artistic and stick to his budget. Instead he runs over and Soames, in a fit of pique, sues him. Upon winning Irene shows her utter loathing for Soames and he exerts his rights as a husband. When Bossinney hears this, he runs out of his lodgings in a heavy fog to meet Irene and gets run over in the street.
Everyone is unhappy: Bossinney is dead, June has lost her finace, Irene has to return to her loveless marriage and Soames has to face the fact that, try as he might, he just isn't loveable.
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LibraryThing member Helenliz
I really enjoyed this first installment in the family Forstye's history. It is set over quite a short period of time, and the action all proceeds quite slowly. This means that we get to know the various characters. Old Jolyon is a delight. There is (fortunately) a family tree provided, such that
The marriage of Soames and Irene is clearly unhappy, but I can't help feeling that each party is unpleasant as the other. Irene clearly doesn't love Soames, but agreed to marry him and is now looking for a way out. She takes a lover, who happens to be engaged to Soames' relative, June. Soames is simply incapable of understanding his wife, and so they are both unhappy. And, based on how this concludes, they'll carry on making each other unhappy through a mixture of pride and stubbornness that each possess. I can't say I found either to be terribly likeable.
Of the other members of the family, there are the spinster sisters, the bachelor brother, the reclusive brother, the assortment of cousins. Some of them play a minor role in the story, and there are some lively characters in the mix there. It's set at an interesting time, in that the younger set are beginning to change the status quo that Jolyon and his siblings seem to cling to.
I really enjoyed this, and will move onto the interlude and books 2 of the saga, In Chancery, in due course.
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you can get the various characters straight. There are 3 generations who feature in this book, Old Jolyon and his siblings, their children and grandchildren. Old Jolyon has made a number of choices in respect of his treatment of his family, and in this book, those begin to change, with him softening his stance towards his son. The marriage of Soames and Irene is clearly unhappy, but I can't help feeling that each party is unpleasant as the other. Irene clearly doesn't love Soames, but agreed to marry him and is now looking for a way out. She takes a lover, who happens to be engaged to Soames' relative, June. Soames is simply incapable of understanding his wife, and so they are both unhappy. And, based on how this concludes, they'll carry on making each other unhappy through a mixture of pride and stubbornness that each possess. I can't say I found either to be terribly likeable.
Of the other members of the family, there are the spinster sisters, the bachelor brother, the reclusive brother, the assortment of cousins. Some of them play a minor role in the story, and there are some lively characters in the mix there. It's set at an interesting time, in that the younger set are beginning to change the status quo that Jolyon and his siblings seem to cling to.
I really enjoyed this, and will move onto the interlude and books 2 of the saga, In Chancery, in due course.
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LibraryThing member leslie.98
What a tragic story! Can't wait to see what happens in the next book!
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1906
ISBN
none