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The Forsyte Saga
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The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy (To Let: Part Three)
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Jamie
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rated it 4 stars
Mar 04, 2014 03:40PM
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Here's my review of the book:The more I see of people the more I am convinced that they are never good or bad – merely comic, or pathetic.
The Beginning: Those privileged to be present at a family festival of the Forsytes have seen that charming and instructive sight – an upper middle-class family in full plumage.
The Forsyte Saga was an amazing journey. At first I found it a bit confusing because of the many characters, and there were parts I found a bit dull. But somewhere during the first part, it really got interesting. What happens in this first part sets the tone and defines the rest of the novel, as the decisions and mistakes of the first Forsyte generation determine the lives of the next generation. Moreover, we get to see characters who make the same mistakes again and again; characters who never get any wiser.
He might wish and wish and never get it – the beauty and the loving in the world!
The one thing that defines the plot in The Forsyte Saga is the unhappy marriage between Soames and Irene Forsyte. She, an extremely beautiful woman, cannot love him, while he, a man of property, sees her as his property. Irene develops throughout the novel; she both learns and pays from her mistakes. Soames never seems to learn anything.
Could a man own anything prettier than this dining-table with its deep tints, the starry, soft-petalled roses, the ruby-coloured glass, and quaint silver furnishing; could a man own anything prettier than the woman who sat at it?
Then again, one almost (almost!!!) can’t help feeling a tiny bit sorry for Soames. He’s just such an idiot! It’s seems he has never learned what love is and how to connect with another human being. He is perhaps one of the most pathetic characters I’ve ever encountered on a page. I would pity him if it wasn’t for his cruelty and abuse.
If only he could surrender to the thought: ‘Divorce her — turn her out! She has forgotten you. Forget her!’
If only he could surrender to the thought: ‘Let her go — she has suffered enough!’
If only he could surrender to the desire: ‘Make a slave of her — she is in your power!’
The unhappy marriage splits the family in two and the next generations suffer from the family feud. It’s almost like Romeo and Juliet – but with a huge twist.
All in all, the novel was a delicious treat!
I just finished the book a few minutes ago, and I really enjoyed it.
Rebecca wrote: "I just finished the book a few minutes ago, and I really enjoyed it."I'm glad you liked it, Rebecca!
Gitte, That is an excellent review. I never know how to review a book like this, with such a broad and sweeping scope, but you did a great job of picking out key points.
Casceil wrote: "Gitte, That is an excellent review. I never know how to review a book like this, with such a broad and sweeping scope, but you did a great job of picking out key points."Thank you so much Casceil - I love writing reviews, so it's nice to hear when people enjoy reading them :-)
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Yes, Gitte, it was a great review. My sympathies were always with June. All the men in her life ended up loving the beautiful Irene more.
Jamie wrote: "I agree. Great review! Thank you for sharing! It is sad that Soames never changes when he is given so many opportunities but he is blind. What does everyone think of Jon and Fleur and the decisions..."Yes, imagine if they had married! I guess that would have been the start of a whole new story - and the novel would have been twice as long! I wouldn't mind reading that story though - but I would feel bad for Jon.
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Yes so would I. We were given a few hints that Fleur wasn't who Jon thought she was.
