Modern Comedy Author:John Galsworthy The nine novels which make up The Forsyte Chronicles -- one of the most popular and enduring works of 20th century literature -- chronicle the ebbing social power of the commercial upper-middle class Forsyte family between 1886 and 1920. Galsworthy's masterly narrative examines not only their fortunes but also the wider developments within s... more »ociety, particularly the changing position of women. The author has drawn a fascinating and accurately detailed picture of the British propertied class.
Often incorrectly called The Forsyte Saga -- the nine novel sequence properly known as The Forsyte Chronicles contains three trilogies - of which the first trilogy is The Forsyte Saga (The Man of Property -- In Chancery -- To Let). The second trilogy, A Modern Comedy (The White Monkey - The Silver Spoon -- Swan Song) is followed by the third and concluding trilogy, End of the Chapter (Maid in Waiting -- Flowering Wilderness -- One More River).
This trilogy (A Modern Comedy) opens with the focus on Fleur, the daughter of the man of property, Soames. When we last saw Fleur in To Let, she was marrying the wealthy and feckless Michael Mont after having been disappointed in love.
The White Monkey (1924)
As this book opens, Fleur is just shy of her two year wedding anniversary and she has recently discovered that Wilfred Desert, a good friend of Michael, has become too fond of her. She hates to lose Wilfred as a friend and social acquaintance, and she thinks that since she does not feel real love for either of them, she might as well see what Wilfred has to offer. Meanwhile, Michael develops into a Don Quixote character, getting dragged into helping everyone who asks him for help and becoming involved in oddball politics.
The White Monkey of the title is a valuable Chinese painting given to the couple by Soames. The painting repels and fascinates whoever sees it, and represents the juncture of the collecting efforts of both Soames and Fleur.
A Silent Wooing (1927)
Interlude between The White Monkey and The Silver Spoon that fills us in on what is happening with Jon in the new world, providing a hint for what The Silver Spoon will bring us in the next trilogy entry.
The Silver Spoon (1926)
This volume carries on with the tale of Soames' daughter Fleur. Married to Michael Mont, in line for a Barony, the story focuses on Michael's start in Parliament and Fleur's inherent dissatisfaction with her marriage, not unlike her father's own experience only in this case it is Fleur who loves another. The American Frances Wilmont enters the scene bringing news that Fleur's real love, Jon, forbidden to her as the son of her father's ex-wife, has married Wilmont's sister. Fleur struggles to be happy and fulfilled, just as her father Soames did.
Passers By (1927)
Interlude between The Silver Spoon and Swan Song
Swan Song (1928)
Michael Mont is succeeding in his public life in Parliament, but holds grave doubts about his private life and his wife, Fleur. Fleur's original love, Jon Forsyte, her cousin and the son of her father's ex-wife, returns to England where a meeting is inevitable. Fleur's undying love for Jon is disclosed. Other members of the Forsyte family are included in this imminently readable saga.« less