Julian Fellowes: Snobs

[KZC23]

Hi. I was just wondering if anyone has read this book? I have just received a copy of it but have not had chance to start it yet. It seems to have got several positive reviews.

Any opinions?

 

[novella]

I read the first chapter online. It looks amusing. I want to read the rest. The first-person voice (an actor with aristo friends) is very well written and convincing. Fellowes wrote Gosford Park, which is good enough rec for me.

 

[KZC23]

Thanks for the response. I think I'll sit down with a large glass of wine tonight and start reading! I greatly enjoyed Gosford Park, so I hope 'Snobs' lives up to that.

 

[novella]

Snobs by Julian Fellowes

I'm about 2/3 through this novel by the author of the Gosford Park screenplay, among other things. This is his first novel. He's best known as an actor, I think.

Anyway, after reading stellar reviews, I am disappointed to report that he writes in enormous generalizations for much of the book. Where I expected snappy dialogue and pointedly comic drawing-room scenes among the aristos and their social-climbing acquaintances, there is a lot of "very rich people think that . . ." and "inherited wealth gives people . . ." and "Everyone who has ever ridden to hounds with a lord knows that . . ."

I can't say how unhappy this style of writing makes me. It sucks the wit out of any observations Fellowes could have gotten a real laugh with. Isn't it so much better to draw two flawed characters really well than to generalize about an entire class of people? Anyway, ploughing through to the end and hoping it gets a little better. Considering good dialogue is the essence of a good screenplay, I'm really surprised he's written this novel in this way.

 

[jaybe]

I notice neither of you got back about this book.

Did you finish it?

I did. It's dreadful.

There were a few amusing lines in the first few chapters. Then it got more and more boring.

What a waste of time and 50p - I got it from a boot sale.