Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Snobs

3.35 of 5 stars 3.35 · rating details · 2,237 ratings · 370 reviews

From the creator of theEmmy Award-winning Downton Abbey...
"The English, of all classes as it happens, are addicted to exclusivity. Leave three Englishmen in a room and they will invent a rule that prevents a fourth joining them."

The best comedies of manners are often deceptively simple, seamlessly blending social critique with character and story. In his superbly observed...more From the creator of the Emmy Award-winning Downton Abbey...
"The English, of all classes as it happens, are addicted to exclusivity. Leave three Englishmen in a room and they will invent a rule that prevents a fourth joining them."

The best comedies of manners are often deceptively simple, seamlessly blending social critique with character and story. In his superbly observed first novel, Julian Fellowes, creator of the Masterpiece sensation Downton Abbey and winner of an Academy Award for his original screenplay of Gosford Park, brings us an insider's look at a contemporary England that is still not as classless as is popularly supposed.

Edith Lavery, an English blonde with large eyes and nice manners, is the daughter of a moderately successful accountant and his social-climbing wife. While visiting his parents' stately home as a paying guest, Edith meets Charles, Earl of Broughton, and heir to the Marquess of Uckfield, who runs the family estates in East Sussex and Norfolk. To the gossip columns he is one of the most eligible young aristocrats around.

When he proposes. Edith accepts. But is she really in love with Charles? Or with his title, his position, and all that goes with it?

One inescapable part of life at Broughton Hall is Charles's mother, the shrewd Lady Uckfield, known to her friends as "Googie" and described by the narrator---an actor who moves comfortably among the upper classes while chronicling their foibles---"as the most socially expert individual I have ever known at all well. She combined a watchmaker's eye for detail with a madam's knowledge of the world." Lady Uckfield is convinced that Edith is more interested in becoming a countess than in being a good wife to her son. And when a television company, complete with a gorgeous leading man, descends on Broughton Hall to film a period drama, "Googie's" worst fears seem fully justified.

In this wickedly astute portrait of the intersecting worlds of aristocrats and actors, Julian Fellowes establishes himself as an irresistible storyteller and a deliciously witty chronicler of modern manners.
(less)

Paperback, 288 pages

Published January 24th 2006 by St. Martin's Griffin (first published 2004)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Light but not (too) dumb

143rd out of 421 books — 500 voters

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Best Books of 2004

44th out of 220 books — 105 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 3,000)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Aug 19, 2008 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: light-and-fun

As delicious as fizzy lemonade and only slightly more substantive, this novel by the screenwriter of “Gosford Park” takes you through the courtship and marriage of a middle-class beauty (“I knew she was a social climber; I didn’t realize she was a mountaineer!”) and an aristocratic dullard. No one escapes the dry acerbity of author Julian Fellowes, who was born into the bosom of the upper-class and obviously knows the species intimately. A very light, very fun, very delectably waspish portrait o...more

like 7 likes · see review

Jun 27, 2011 Jude rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Julian Fellowes wrote the screenplay for Gosford Park- that was enough to make me pick this up. (I discovered his series Downton Abbey afterwards.)

The reader turned out to be absolutely perfect. Tho i eventually bought the book and of course it reads beautifully, this recording is an illustration of the unique and powerful experience a gifted narrator can offer.

And then there's the writing! Tho humorous and ironic (a friend astutely felt a bit of Jane Austen), and ostensibly a portrait of the b...more

like 2 likes · see review

Apr 11, 2009 CB rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. If only I had read this book before moving to the UK, instead of towards the end of my five year stay! Although this is a piece of fiction, it is an EXCELLENT guide to British mores and manners. Despite being set in the upper echelons of society, the unspoken rules and regulations apply to other social strata as well. As a novel, the book is less than satisfactory and rather cliche; a social climber hits the heights by marrying for status instead of love, falls from grace via an affair with a *g...more

like 3 likes · see review

Jun 18, 2007 Hannah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Excellent. I really liked this one. Julian Fellowes reminds me a great deal of a less cynical Evelyn Waugh with bits of Trollope thrown in for fun. I found several things rather striking for a modern book of this nature. One, there is no swearing. Second, he has a remarkable grasp of the worlds which he occupies but I found his commentary to apply broadly. He is very insightful. I found this book rather thought provoking.

For instance, the following comment addresses both the struggle between Eng...more

like 1 like · see review

Aug 07, 2012 Dawn (& Ron) rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Downtown Abbey fans

Shelves: humor, keeper, stretching-reading-horizon, ireland

Julian Fellowes, from Gosford Park to Downtown Abbey, no one knows the snark, bite and fight of British social class structure like he does. With his contemporary setting, he shows in this comedy of ill and good manners, though much has changed, in the inner circles class still matters. I don't read contemporary fiction too often, it was the look into the inner sanctum, done with the Fellowes touches of grace and humor, that I found myself enjoying, more than expected.

like 1 like · see review

Jan 10, 2009 Donna rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: readers who like the setting of Anne Perry novels; fans of Diana

Shelves: fiction

Well written (though not unique) story of middle class girl who marries into the British aristocracy and finds herself with a rather dull husband and veddy, veddy snooty inlaws. While not spectacular, I read this book in 24 hours, staying up quite late to finish it...if it held my attention that well, it couldn't be just fluff.

This might be considered a read-alike to Anne Perry, especially for someone (like me) who enjoys seeing how the aristocracy "works" especially in their relation to the "lo...more

like · see review

May 12, 2013 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Creator of the popular series Downton Abbey Julian Fellows’ novel follows the similar theme of the division of social classes. This is a story about Edith Lavery, an attractive young woman who marries the Earl of Broughtonand. The Earl lives among the highest of the British social classes and is wealthy, owning many estates. Edith marries the Earl for his social status and despite his unwavering love for her (he thanks her for every sexual encounter) Edith quickly becomes bored living the high l...more Creator of the popular series Downton Abbey Julian Fellows’ novel follows the similar theme of the division of social classes. This is a story about Edith Lavery, an attractive young woman who marries the Earl of Broughtonand. The Earl lives among the highest of the British social classes and is wealthy, owning many estates. Edith marries the Earl for his social status and despite his unwavering love for her (he thanks her for every sexual encounter) Edith quickly becomes bored living the high life. Edith questions what she should do with her marriage and life, and soon finds herself walking away from her marriage to be with a handsome struggling actor. After leaving her husband hurt and depressed and destroying his families reputation Edith begins to realize that the grass is not always greener on the other side. Fellows has a wonderful way of pulling the reader into the characters and the story. The narration is from the perspective of Morant an actor/friend of Edith. This provides an interesting and unusual view of the flow of the plot and development of the characters. I would highly recommend this novel to any readers that are fans of British society or the Downton Abbey series.

“Great grief can be worn charmingly by a beauty and I have seen a lot of gracious dignity at funerals in my time but is my experience that when grief is becoming it is also suspect. Real unhappiness is ugly and wounding and scarring to the soul.”

Appeal Notes (May contain spoilers):
Genre: Humorous stories; Satirical fiction
Pacing: Leisurely
Character: Told from the perspective of Morant the story follows Edith, the Earl and his mother along with many side characters that are family and friends. Character driven.
Location: England
Storyline: Character driven
Tone: Satirical

Comments: There was a great attention to detail in the beginning of the story that was interesting,but prevented me from really getting into the book. By the end I was much happier with the flow of the writing and the story.(less)

like · see review

Feb 11, 2013 Susan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, favorites

This was a complete dark horse for me.

I don't typically read regular fiction; I tend to stray more into the domains of genre fiction, i.e. fantasy, science fiction and historical fiction, or even young adult fiction. And even if I do read regular fiction, it's never this type of society-focused, upper-class-oriented stuff.

The novel, essentially, is about Edith Lavery, whom I would describe as a well-meaning and not intentionally materialistic gold digger. She manages to 'snag' Charles Uckfield...more

like · see review

Jan 27, 2013 Doug rated it 2 of 5 stars

I like Julian Fellowes' TV series Downton Abbey quite a bit, but unfortunately I bought this book before I realized that relatively little of what I like about the show is about the writing, particularly the plotting. It's almost uniformly excellently acted, and the production design is gorgeous. Certainly some of my emotional investment in Matthew and Mary's rocky relationship is thanks to the verbal sparring Fellowes laid out for them, but it's partly due to how Michele Dockery and Dan Stevens...more I like Julian Fellowes' TV series Downton Abbey quite a bit, but unfortunately I bought this book before I realized that relatively little of what I like about the show is about the writing, particularly the plotting. It's almost uniformly excellently acted, and the production design is gorgeous. Certainly some of my emotional investment in Matthew and Mary's rocky relationship is thanks to the verbal sparring Fellowes laid out for them, but it's partly due to how Michele Dockery and Dan Stevens inhabit and solidify Fellowes' creations.

Snobs is set during John Major's tenure as Prime Minister, and revolves largely around Broughton, which could be a latter-year Downton Abbey if Downton and the Grantham's are lucky: like many real-life manor houses, Broughton admits tourists to generate some revenue, but the house and lands are intact. The plot, such as it is, concerns an unfavorable match made by Broughton's heir, and its eventual consequences.

I found the narrative presence perplexing. It shifts from an unnamed first-person voice, a young man in the disreputable profession of acting, yet with clear evidence of good, if not noble, breeding, to a more-or-less limited omniscient third-person voice with glimpses into the internal life of Edith, the aforesaid unsuitable match. These two narrative voices seem to contradict each other on at least one significant plot point, but they share a several-years-hence vantage point, and a curious positioning with respect to the English upper classes. They claim to not be of them, and are mildly critical of them, but they have clearly studied them at no little length. They're also both far more critical of the middle classes and the nouveau riche than those with hereditary wealth.

Overall the tone is less satirical than sociological/behavioral, nearly to the point of being like a reference work diluted for the layperson: here's this strange creature, the titled English person, and here are its peculiar habits. (I had no idea shooting, British style, was so rigidly formalized and complicated, although I shouldn't have been surprised.) Readers familiar with Lord Grantham's blather about the obligation of the estate to the community around it will see this sentiment echoed at much greater length. Sometimes that verges on apologia, and sometimes that verges on parody. No one ever says "The poor just don't appreciate what dashed hard work it is being so damnably rich," at least, not in so many words. Many words are also devoted to how fundamentally impenetrable the ranks of the rich are to outsiders. I found the specific language often annoyingly repetitive, with the schoolgirlish, breathy, intimate, urgency attributed to Lady Uckfield's delivery the most extreme example (and one I'm not even sure I would have parsed correctly if I hadn't heard Maggie Smith demonstrate it as Downton's Dowager Countess). But there are plenty of other moments for which I'm rather inclined to fault Fellowe's editor, viz:

I felt myself becoming caustic. "What makes you think so well of Simon's prospects?"
"You're very acid this morning. . .

I didn't much care for it -- I think it would have been much stronger at half its length, but even then I probably would have found its implicit politics a bit repugnant. But I definitely did enjoy the afterword in which Fellowes reveals some of the roman-a-clef components of the novel, including the not-quite-in-either-world aspect he shares with his narrator.
(less)

like · see review

Nov 04, 2012 Kieran Walsh rated it 2 of 5 stars

Given the global fascination with anything Downton Abbey-ish I thought I’d delve into something by this chap. I guessed it might be literary worthy to say that one had actually read of some minor works by Julian Fellowes before he became so famous that his show is now part of InFlight entertainment on a bunch of international airlines.
The entire story reminded me of the British Tory movement, post Thatcher (remember Back to Basics). ‘Twee’ is probably the word that would come to mind reading th...more

like · see review

Jul 29, 2012 Rachel marked it as abandoned · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

The fourth of four (so far) books in a row that I've abandoned. Maybe it's just me.

I just started watching Downton Abbey a couple of months ago (two years after it began airing) and my reaction was, "why didn't anyone tell me how great this show is?" Then I remembered that, oh right, everyone did. This caused me to also seek out Gosford Park, which I didn't like nearly as much as Downton Abbey, although it did make me feel that Maggie Smith should be in all movies (along with Don Cheadle, about...more

like 2 likes · see review

Jul 13, 2012 Robbie Sparrow rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Downton Abbey fans

Anyone familiar with his PBS sensation "Downton Abbey" will feel right at home in this novel by Julian Fellowes. Though a bit difficult to begin, this novel quickly heats up as the characters come together and come to life under the day-to-day drama that unfolds for these upper-class individuals.

Without giving away much of the plot, I will admit that this book left me with similar sensations that I experience when watching Downton Abbey. The elderly Marchioness reminds me of a less outspoken (t...more

like · see review

Jun 20, 2012 Carla rated it 3 of 5 stars

http://wwwdiaryofabooknerd.blogspot.c...

Snobs is a particularly juicy look at the lives and loves of aristocratic British society. Except that instead of petticoats and horse-drawn carriages, these fancy-shmancy Brits are living today. Middle-class Edith, who has been brought up by an ambitious mother to want nothing more than to land an upper-class husband, does just that then she meets Charles Uckfield, the Earl Broughton and heir to the Marquess of Uckfield. But instead of a fairy tale happy...more http://wwwdiaryofabooknerd.blogspot.c...

Snobs is a particularly juicy look at the lives and loves of aristocratic British society. Except that instead of petticoats and horse-drawn carriages, these fancy-shmancy Brits are living today. Middle-class Edith, who has been brought up by an ambitious mother to want nothing more than to land an upper-class husband, does just that then she meets Charles Uckfield, the Earl Broughton and heir to the Marquess of Uckfield. But instead of a fairy tale happy ending, the story focuses on the disillusionment of getting what you always wanted.

Fellowes uses a first person narrator (who I just realized doesn’t seem to have an actual name) to take us through the ins and outs of this highly stratified world. He knows these people, how they think and act, and all the perks and pressures they deal with on a daily basis. An actor by profession, the narrator grew up among the noble-born – he’s the perfect person to give us all the dirty details about how the other half lives, while still maintaining his street cred as just another commoner, just like us readers. One thing that bothered me about this, what bothers me about first person narrators in general, is that somehow they become omniscient and know all about what happens when they are not around. It’s a small picky point, but you can’t help but wonder how he knows so much about Edith and Charles’s wedding night.

Playing along the sidelines of Charles and Edith’s story are people from both worlds. Upper-class families with their customs, engrained traditions and social pressures. And lower and middle-class personalities dying to claw their way to the top – to a world they dream of as filled with glitter and privilege. It’s sad really, watching people with power and money wallow in the fear of losing it. Just as sad as watching those without it fester with jealousy and greed wanting nothing more than just a taste of the world they imagine.

We don’t really have a landed aristocracy here in the States. Sure there are a few established families, but for the most part, our nobility is in Hollywood. We look up to celebrities the way the Brits do their Earls and Barons. Our Royal Wedding was broadcast on E! and lasted 72 days. Maybe that’s why it’s hard for me to relate to anyone in this books. I’m obviously not one of the privileged few, but I also don’t want to be. If anything, Fellowes shows us that even if you “have it all”; if you’re miserable, you might as well have nothing.
(less)

like 1 like · see review

May 15, 2012 Jane rated it 4 of 5 stars

I had no idea that my whole family was embracing Downton Abbey while I was reading this book, nor did I know that this author is the creator of that phenomenon - I just got this at a yard sale! The writing is awesome. This view of British society could only be written by a society insider, which Julian Fellowes is, and a cynical one at that.

Some favorite excerpts:
And then there was her skin. The English, skin is, as a rule, the compliment of last resort, to be employed when there is nothing else...more

like · see review

Apr 11, 2011 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: brit-lit

Snobs is one of the most straightforward stories of marriage and contentment that I have read. And considering that I've read an embarrassing number of romance novels, this is saying a lot.

In fact, in many ways Snobs reads like a romance novel told by the narrator of The Good Soldier, and succeeds in almost every aspect of a romance without the central Cinderella character ever falling in love with the rich aristocrat. Edith Lavery marries into the nobility, dreaming of prestige and lofty compan...more Snobs is one of the most straightforward stories of marriage and contentment that I have read. And considering that I've read an embarrassing number of romance novels, this is saying a lot.

In fact, in many ways Snobs reads like a romance novel told by the narrator of The Good Soldier, and succeeds in almost every aspect of a romance without the central Cinderella character ever falling in love with the rich aristocrat. Edith Lavery marries into the nobility, dreaming of prestige and lofty company, but becomes bored with country life and her husband within two years. When she meets an extremely handsome actor, she falls in love and leaves her husband, only to reassess later whether this will lead to her long-term happiness.

What saves this straightforward romance from being only a romance is its narrator, who is Edith's well-bred actor friend, capable of observing the absurdity of upper class, upper middle class and actors' societies, as well as bridge the distances between each of the groups. And since the reader is unlikely to be rich enough to feel like the object of the greatest criticism, the narrator sets up the reader to become complicit in his assumption that intellectual dimness is equivalent to emotional shallowness. It's all done in a conversational and gossipy tone, and from the point of view of a somewhat peripheral character who has to make assumptions about what the main characters said and did at points of his story. It felt like what The Good Soldier might have been like if its narrator had been observant and its story had been lighter. (It also could have simply felt similar because they both involve upper class English people.) The urge to read more gossip is what drives the book; before the middle of the book, everything feels like exposition or news told over tea.

Aside from keeping the tone even and interesting, the narrator also successfully navigates through the layers of snobbery in each social group to approach the more personal sides of the characters. In spite of their tunnel-vision classism, the aristocrat characters are largely sympathetic. Cuckolded spouses are confused and heartbroken, parents want their children to be happy, and unless they are jaded already, people find that life never lives up to what they expected. The upper class may mix with the world like oil does with water, but their problems are universal ones. Not really a profound observation, but an absolutely fair one, I'm sure.

I find it more interesting to think about is the fact that it is mostly the upper class that is sympathetic. It is difficult to disagree with the narrator's portrayal of Edith's culpability in leaving her husband. It is equally difficult to feel that Edith's mother has a right to be upset when her daughter's marriage fails, since she was simply interested in using the connection to become an associate of the upper class. Other middle class characters striving to hobnob with the aristocracy are shown to be similarly ridiculous and obnoxious. Actors are portrayed as having a society that is paradoxically unstable (since one's place in it changes by the day) and stagnant (there is no ease of familiarity between members of the society, and yet there is also no stimulation in meeting other members).

As a light-hearted comedy of manners, I would give the book only three stars. But as an answer to chick lit and romances that think social mobility is common, or good sex will automatically make a good relationship, this book is worth more.(less)

like 1 like · see review

Nov 23, 2010 Denis rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Julian Fellowes is, indeed, an interesting fellow: he's the writer of the extremely witty and entertaining movie Gosford Park (of which this novel is sometimes reminiscent), he's himself a member of the British upper-class, and therefore he writes like no others about the world of aristocracy and high society that he knows so well. One of the strengths of Fellowes as a writer, and especially of this charming novel, is his delicious sense of humor, which manages to be at the same time hilarious,...more

like · see review

May 18, 2012 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars

The story was intriguing. It is a story about an upper middle-class English girl, Edith Lavery, in the 1990s and her quest to rise into the ranks of the upper-class of English society. In case you were wondering, there is apparently a distinct difference between upper middle-class and upper-class. Upper-class members do not usually talk to those below them. Edith meets Charles Broughton, heir to his very well-known families estate. He is a reserved man who finds Edith charming. What follows is a...more

like · see review

Oct 11, 2011 Breanne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

Edith Lavery is the daughter of a moderately successful English accountant and his social-climbing wife. While visiting a stately home as a paying guest, Edith meets Charles, Earl of Broughton and heir to the Marquess of Uckfield. After dating for a few months, Charles proposes and Edith accepts. But is she really in love with Charles? Or with his title, his position, and all that goes with it? Charles's mother, the shrewd Lady Uckfield, suspects that Edith is more interested in becoming a count...more Edith Lavery is the daughter of a moderately successful English accountant and his social-climbing wife. While visiting a stately home as a paying guest, Edith meets Charles, Earl of Broughton and heir to the Marquess of Uckfield. After dating for a few months, Charles proposes and Edith accepts. But is she really in love with Charles? Or with his title, his position, and all that goes with it? Charles's mother, the shrewd Lady Uckfield, suspects that Edith is more interested in becoming a countess than in being a good wife to her son. And when a television company, complete with a gorgeous leading man, descends on Broughton Hall to film a period drama, her worst fears seem fully justified.

Julian Fellowes also wrote the screenplay for Gosford Park, Vanity Fair, and The Young Victoria (to name a few) and is the creator of the hugely popular television series Downton Abbey. While it seems like he specializes in period dramas, this book is set in present-day England, and it kind of blew my mind. I had no idea that these kind of attitudes still existed in the English aristocracy, but of course now I feel a bit foolish for not realizing it sooner. The story is ultimately about Edith, but I think it's largely a commentary on the social nuances of the upper class (it definitely makes you take a harder look at the Cinderella fantasy). True to everything else I've seen from Julian Fellowes, his characters are completely real: not entirely bad, and not entirely good either. Just flawed humans with unique personalities thrown into situations like wind-up toys that knock about and end up where they will. While I found most of the book fascinating, I was a bit annoyed with the foolishness of some of the characters, even though their motives and choices are fully explained by Fellowes. Despite understanding them, I still inwardly cringed for them.

I listened to the audiobook version of this, and I thought the narrator had it spot-on, pitch perfect. His accent was just a bit pretentious and he didn't once stumble on any of the French pronunciations. Quelle joie!(less)

like · see review

Apr 01, 2013 Snort rated it 3 of 5 stars

Equal part social satire, equal part comedy of manners – Julian Fellowes gives the classic Girl-Marries-Up story a run for the money. This debut novel is as predictable as it is delicious - neither the plot nor characters matter, but rather who they know and rub titled shoulders with.

"Snobs" chronicles the celebration, downfall then redemption of Edith Lavery, who snares the dim but wealthy Charles Broughton, much to the horror of the formidable Lady Uckfield, and scandalous delight of society a...more

like · see review

Sep 06, 2011 Agatha rated it 4 of 5 stars

Did anyone watch the PBS series last January, “Downton Abbey” (which is starting season 2 in Jan ’12)? My cousin DVR’d and sent me the DVDs and I am watching it now and LOVING IT! Well, anyway, this author is the author of that. He’s also the author of the TV version of “Gosford Park,” the Reese Witherspoon movie “Vanity Fair,” the Cameron McIntosh musical version of “Mary Poppins,” and the book , PAST IMPERFECT (but I thought SNOBS was much, much better). I think if you like any of the Austen b...more

like · see review

Mar 23, 2013 Noreen rated it 3 of 5 stars

I think I am just too American to entirely get the appeal of this one. Although the character motives were very clearly developed and the storyline was certainly interesting, I just couldn't understand why the characters cared SO MUCH about these archaic social constructions. Why did Edith care so much for the title and position of Lady Broughton? The money, I get, but the rest not so much. What was the difference between Annabelle and Bob and the rest of the richie-rich crowd? I mean, I logical...more

like · see review

Nov 22, 2012 Glimmerfee rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Edith Lavery hatte schon früh von ihrer Mutter Flausen in den Kopf gesetzt bekommen und so hat sie sich in ihr hübsches Köpfchen gesetzt, einen reichen und möglichst adligen Mann zu ehelichen. Das Schicksal lässt sie die Bekanntschaft mit dem Earl of Broughton machen und es dauert nicht lange, da baumelt der gutmütige Charles an ihrer Angel.

Der Autor Julian Fellowes überlässt es seinem Erzähler einen amüsierten Blick in die Welt des britischen Adels zu werfen, in der sich die nicht Eingeweihten...more

like · see review

Nov 20, 2012 Anastasia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: biblioteca-civica, uk, contemporanei

Lo spirito di Jane Austen vaga per libroni e libercoli..

E dev'essere che fra un soggiorno e l'altro ha pensato bene di lasciare pure la sua impronta su Snob. In realtà questo paragone con le strutture e modi della Austen è ciò di più spontaneo e (parzialmente) in errore che qualunque lettore potrebbe fare una volta intrapresa la lettura di Snob: diciamo che se fosse davvero così, allora avremmo davanti una Jane slavata dai turbini delle lavatrici del nuovo secolo, un'Austen meno leggendaria, più...more Lo spirito di Jane Austen vaga per libroni e libercoli..

E dev'essere che fra un soggiorno e l'altro ha pensato bene di lasciare pure la sua impronta su Snob. In realtà questo paragone con le strutture e modi della Austen è ciò di più spontaneo e (parzialmente) in errore che qualunque lettore potrebbe fare una volta intrapresa la lettura di Snob: diciamo che se fosse davvero così, allora avremmo davanti una Jane slavata dai turbini delle lavatrici del nuovo secolo, un'Austen meno leggendaria, più ancorata alla realtà, e di certo con qualche componente persa per strada, perché la sua verve è la sua verve, diffidate delle imitazioni.
(Lord) Julian Fellowes ti porta per le strade misconosciute della classe - no, non dite classe, ché noi non facciamo distinzioni, no..no..- ancora esistente della nobiltà, accozzata ai propri principi come salvagente nello sbando generale dell'epoca contemporanea. E la nostra guida non è un tipo messo a caso per l'occasione, essendo lui stesso figlio della nobiltà e di conseguenza conoscitore competente di questo alto lignaggio distaccato dal resto dell'umanità - plebei..-, oltre che attore di discreto successo, non siamo davanti a un Jack Nicholson o chi altro potrebbe venirvi in mente quando si parla di "grandi attori", ma oh, i suoi filmini se li è fatti, e per i patiti di serie tv vi basterà una sola parola per fare i dovuti collegamenti: Downtown Abbey. La pluripremiata seria con la dovutamente esaltata sceneggiatura, scritta proprio dal nostro attorino.
Fellowes ha uno scopo preciso, che non esita a dimostrare sin dai primi capitoli: renderti partecipe di questo mondo misterioso di conti, duchi e marchesi che vivono fra noi, da qualche parte, ben nascosti per evitare strani mescolamenti inopportuni. La trama è un chiaro pretesto per i suoi fini "descrittivi", da esperto a digiuno della materia, e di conseguenza assume una rilevanza meno importante rispetto alle sue prede da sottoporre ai nostri occhi curiosi. I mezzi sono ciò che chiunque si potrebbe aspettare da un inglese: l'humour britannico con la sua ironia un po' celata, in questo caso non tanto per renderla ancora più pungente - la Austen è un'altra cosa! -, ma persino per precauzione, ce lo vedo Fellowes a fare la carezzina alla propria gente come per dire: eh, ma vabbè, noi siamo così..
Non è un humour propriamente rilevante, non è nemmeno un carattere distintivo, ma semplicemente uno dei tanti nei meandri della letteratura inglese, una di quelle qualità connaturate nell'inglese mediamente intelligente e con un po' di spirito. Anzi, in alcuni punti è talmente pedante nel voler sottolineare certi concetti che diventa verboso (alla settima volta che mi dici per questo e per quel motivo Lady Uckfield era proprio da stimare..porca miseria, ho capito..!) , quasi non fosse sicuro di essersi espresso bene o avesse a che fare con lettori di comprendonio tentennante. Più fiducia nelle mie capacità di comprensione, Julian, più fiducia (la posso chiamare Julian, sì, lord?).
E la trama in sé in questo caso non è esente dall'essere scusata o condonata, dal momento che un romanzo di narrativa è sempre un romanzo di narrativa.
La vicenda in sé ha personaggi discreti, caratterizzati bene, ..non proprio interessanti, ma ben definiti nella loro nuvoletta, per dire. Edith è la nostra Elizabeth Bennet del ventunesimo secolo: un bel "ma chi se ne frega" ai buoni sentimenti, vuole il suo Darcy non perché di certo è innamorata di lui, né perché attratta da lui - difficilmente Charles Uckfield potrebbe risultare interessante, anzi, è un individuo abbastanza noioso e limitato -, ma perché passare dalla media borghesia all'idea così esaltante di far parte di un'élite come quella dei Broughton, gente di alto livello, gente importante, fa figo e allora lo voglio pure io. Voglio fare la bella vita, voglio andare in giro per ricevimenti ed essere rispettata da tutti, voglio godere dei soldi a palate che a momenti ci riempio la vasca, etc etc. Tutte le cose che si accompagnano idealmente al concetto di "ricchezza e potere".
E comincia la sua scalata alla conquista del titolo nobiliare, l'esito è scontato, gli inceppi nel mezzo facilmente deducibili, e l'epilogo finale praticamente ovvio.

Come accennato, l'elemento che gli permette di essere risparmiato dal paragone vincolante con la Austen è proprio tutto il pensiero differente, seppur le ambientazioni e le atmosfere siano molto simili. Edith si è illusa che vivere in mezzo alla nobiltà sia uno spasso da ingordi proprio perché alimentata da libri come quelli della Austen, dove si dipinge un mondo pieno di intrighi, avventure amorose e non, e discussioni argute e intelligenti. La verità svelata da Fellowes è che tutto ciò sa essere una noia mortale: le conversazioni perlopiù sono uno scambio di nomi e conoscenze, come per dire - ohoh, io conosco Tal dei Tali! -, prevale una routine che nessuno di certo vuole cambiare, proprio perché rilassante per la mentalità prototipo del nobile affezionato alle proprie tradizioni. (Basta pensare a chi sono i primi nella storia ad ostacolare le rivoluzioni..sempre 'sti rompini..snob!)
Ma in fondo si è intesa la differenza tra i libri della Austen e Snob di Fellowes: il primo è un vero e proprio romanzo di narrativa che, seppur abbia una certa rilevanza nella critica sociale etc etc, rimane un romanzo che si focalizza sulla narrazione e quindi predilige la trama; Snob di Fellowes è un documentario informale e "moderno" sostenuto da una trama che lo accompagni e gli permetta di dire che quello che ha da dire, di svelare la verità sconosciute.
Solo che la Austen inseriva nella sua trama ben congeniata la possibilità di un'attenta analisi della società degli altlocati nell'Inghilterra di fine 700, Snob inserisce una trama agghindata in modo irrilevante, a tratti un po' tedioso e banale, un documentario "fra amici" che nonostante tutto riesce ed interessa.
Ma la carenza qui è più additabile a Snob più che ai romanzi della Austen, che nonostante tutto vantano un quadro generale completo e in equilibrio rispetto all'opera di Fellowes. (less)

like 4 likes · see review

Mar 21, 2013 Marina_f rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2000s, brittish, sss-book-club-reading

Редко в какой книги фраза "Объявляю вас мужем и женой" звучит не в конце книги, а в самом ее начале. И вот Джулиан Феллоуз ставит не просто на историю быта семьи, но на быт семьи высокородной, тут вам настоящие британские аристократы, будто бы сошедшие с страниц Остин - высокомерные снобы, живущие по правилам и законам, которые даже не дают себе возможности мысли про то, что впустить в свой круг общения неаристократов.

Главную героиню Эдит, как по мне, невозможно назвать уж совсем-совсем Золушкой...more Редко в какой книги фраза "Объявляю вас мужем и женой" звучит не в конце книги, а в самом ее начале. И вот Джулиан Феллоуз ставит не просто на историю быта семьи, но на быт семьи высокородной, тут вам настоящие британские аристократы, будто бы сошедшие с страниц Остин - высокомерные снобы, живущие по правилам и законам, которые даже не дают себе возможности мысли про то, что впустить в свой круг общения неаристократов.

Главную героиню Эдит, как по мне, невозможно назвать уж совсем-совсем Золушкой, что пришла из грязи в князи - хотя она и не с благородной семьи, но воспитание получила вполне приличное и имела достаточно связей и друзей в высшем свете. Но амбиции матери и ее безумное желание выдать дочь как минимум за графа, а лучше за герцога и приводит нас к началу роман. Роман Эдит и Дэвида был очень быстротечен и вот уже те самые слова про муха и жену звучат в какой-то шестой главе. А дальше начинается "праздник" - представления Эдит о замужней жизни жены аристократа слишком книжные - она сама говорит, что в большинстве своим мечт себя-то она видела в кринолинах)))

От души позавидовала автору в том, что он вот так не побоялся сесть и "обличить" английский высший свет - ведь не мог же он всех этих людей создать в своей голове! И пусть персонажи могут быть и собирательными образами, но все равно их характеры - это первое, почему эту книгу стоит прочитать.
И да, так же как в авторском "Аббатстве Даунтон" больше всех выделяется вдовствующая графиня Грэнтэм своей надменностью, но и мудростью чисто житейской, так и здесь все внимание держит маркиза Акфильдская - женщина, которая в отличии от Эдит, с самого начала понимающая, чего стоит быть женой графа. Собственно маркиза и есть каким-то столпом книги - почти все действия или связаны с ней, или она на эти действия как-то влияет. И она - это вторая причина, почему стоит читать книгу.
Причина третья - это пресловутые язык и манеры повествования автора. Что-то они там в воду добавляют в этой вашей Англии, что какого автора не возьми, то слог его прекрасен и певуч))))

В общем, книга - хорошая прививка от излишней романтичности даже барышням среднего отечественного разлива, мечтающих о свадьбе. Замужество - это адская ежесекундная работа и у нас, людей с кровью по-плебейски красной, и у них, аристократов с голубой кровью.(less)

like · see review

Jul 17, 2012 Beckie rated it 4 of 5 stars

"Snobs" is the first novel of Julian Fellowes, creator of "Downton Abbey." Unlike "Downton," "Snobs" is set just before the present day. Like "Downton," it provides a fascinating exploration of upper class Englishmen.
The book follows the ascent and fall of Edith Lavery, and upper-middle class woman who marries up into a world that fails to dazzle her the way she'd expected. Edith isn't a terribly sympathetic character, but it is still possible to root for her throughout. The tale is narrated by...more

like · see review

Oct 12, 2011 Roberta rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009

"Sono felice quanto basta"
Snob racconta la storia di Edith, una giovane appartenente all'alta borghesia, consapevole di non avere talenti, di aver sprecato l'opportunità di costruirsi una carriera, e desiderosa solamente di sposare un uomo ricco e vivere una vita di lussi.

Quando Edith riesce ad accalappiare Charles Broughton, erede di una casata importante e - soprattutto - ricca della nobiltà inglese, sembra che i suoi piani si siano realizzati completamente e che la sua felicità sia assicurat...more

like · see review

Jun 24, 2011 Trin rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: english-lit, fiction

Jane Eyre kind of killed this book for me. Before I ran off with Jane and Rochester, I was enjoying it: like Fellowes' TV series, Downton Abbey, it's full of sly social observation and cutting English humor. But the 1990s of Snobs is an era of far less interest to me than the 1910s of Abbey, and the former also lacks the latter's broader cast of characters--many of whom are far more sympathetic than anyone who appears in Snobs. I still enjoyed it, and will happily hunt for Fellowes' Past Imperfe ...more

like · see review

Jun 08, 2011 Marissa Ovick rated it 5 of 5 stars

My number one recommendation for girls looking for a good summer read. The storyline and style of writing evoke The Great Gatsby, but it's almost light enough to be considered chick lit. I always tell people that it's an easy read, but since part of it was featured in The New Yorker, you won't actually lose brain cells while reading it ;) Some excerpts from other reviews:

"Snobs is everything you would hope for from the writer of Gosford Park. A delicious thoroughbred delight, a guilty treat that...more

like · see review

Mar 11, 2013 Laura rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own

Edith, a beautiful and kind English young woman, is introduced to the Earl of Broughton after touring Broughton Hall. Although not a social-climber herself, she is drawn to his lifestyle and the ways of his class. She agrees to marry him, but suddenly finds life dull. One day, when actors and a camera crew arrive on her doorstep, she is swept off her feet and begins to question her decisions.

While I found the social commentary amusing, intellectual, and informative, I had no invested interest in...more

like · see review

Aug 10, 2008 Aly rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

As they say, it takes one to know one. Julian Fellowes may enjoy throwing around posh French phrases and aristocratic names as much as his snobbish characters, but at the heart of his story is a perceptive explanation of (and sometimes excuse for) rudeness.

Really entertaining. The slightly disappointing ending is practical, and all that could be hoped for. But 95% of the book is worth the read.

like 1 like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 99 100 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (33)

More editions...

Genres

European Literature > British Literature

17 users

Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

12 users

Contemporary

11 users

Book Club

10 users

Historical Fiction

9 users

Humor

7 users

Novels

6 users

Literary Fiction

5 users

Modern

4 users

Adult Fiction

4 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Julian Fellowes

Julian Alexander Kitchener-Fellowes DL known as Julian Fellowes, English actor, novelist and screenwriter.

Fellowes is the youngest son of Peregrine Fellowes (a diplomat and Arabist who campaigned to have Haile Selassie restored to his throne during World War II). Julian inherited the title of Lord of the Manor of Tattershall from his father, making him the fourth Fellowes to hold it. He was educat...more Julian Alexander Kitchener-Fellowes DL known as Julian Fellowes, English actor, novelist and screenwriter.

Fellowes is the youngest son of Peregrine Fellowes (a diplomat and Arabist who campaigned to have Haile Selassie restored to his throne during World War II). Julian inherited the title of Lord of the Manor of Tattershall from his father, making him the fourth Fellowes to hold it. He was educated at Ampleforth College, Magdalene College, Cambridge and the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.

He played the part of Kilwillie in the television series Monarch of the Glen. Other notable acting roles included the part of Claud Seabrook in the acclaimed 1996 BBC drama serial Our Friends in the North. He has twice notably portrayed George IV as the Prince Regent in the 1982 television version of The Scarlet Pimpernel and the 1996 adaptation of Bernard Cornwell's novel Sharpe's Regiment.

He wrote the screenplay for Gosford Park, directed by Robert Altman, for which he won an Oscar for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen in 2002.

His novel 'Snobs' was published in 2004. It focused on the social nuances of the upper class. Fellowes has described himself as coming from the "rock bottom end of the top", and drew on his knowledge of Society to paint a detailed portrait of the behaviour and snobbery of the upper class. 'Snobs' was a Sunday Times Best Seller and has now been published in many countries.

In the 1970s he also wrote romantic novels, using the names Rebecca Greville and Alexander Morant.

He launched a new series on BBC One in 2004, Julian Fellowes Investigates: A Most Mysterious Murder, which he wrote and also introduced on screen.

He also penned the script to the current West End musical Mary Poppins, produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Disney, which opened on Broadway in December 2006.

In late 2005 Fellowes made his directorial debut with the film Separate Lies.

He is the presenter of Never Mind the Full Stops, a panel-based gameshow transmitted on BBC Four from mid-2006.

On 28 April 1990, he married Emma Joy Kitchener (a Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Michael of Kent, and great-great-niece of the 1st Earl Kitchener) and assumed the name Kitchener-Fellowes by deed enrolled with the College of Arms in 1998.
{Wikipedia}(less)

More about Julian Fellowes...

Books by Julian Fellowes

Downton Abbey: The Complete Scripts, Season One

The Curious Adventures of the Abandoned Toys

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Snobs

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

Quotes from Snobs

“Leave three Englishmen in a room and they will invent a rule that prevents a fourth joining them.” — 9 people liked it

“-prietenii, chiar animați de cele mai bune intenții, pot ucide multe iubiri inca din fașă-” — 2 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Snobs
avg rating	preview: Snobs Goodreads rating: 3.35 (2237 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/92230.Snobs?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317065169l/92230.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/92230.Snobs?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Snobs by Julian Fellowes[/url]

Snobs

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website