Swan Song, The Forsyte Saga

The final novel of “a social satire of epic proportions and one that does not suffer by comparison with Thackeray’s Vanity Fair” (The New York Times).

From the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1932

Set against the backdrop of a post–World War I Britain, now rocked by a general strike, Swan Song captures the staunch resilience—and ridiculousness—of the British upper middle class, who view this new national crisis as just a minor inconvenience. As the ever-so-steadfast Winifred Dartie says, “If they could get this little fuss over, the coming season would be most enjoyable.”

Especially since Jon Forsyte and his American wife have visited from France. Though eager to pitch in to help his homeland, Jon never expects his return will have such an effect on his former love, Fleur Mont, now married to a member of Parliament and a mother. Even when the strike abates, their reunion sends ripples through their friends and family, including Fleur’s father. He knows his daughter wants nothing more than what she doesn’t have—and to save her from herself—he sets out to stay one step ahead of her duplicitous heart . . .

“It is such a joy to read a book which is unquestionably a good piece of work, that tells you on the first page that it is going to tell its story gracefully, with technical skill, and with that rare quality of fineness. Swan Song has quite literally greatness—to say more about it would be to spill gilt paint over a calla.” —Chicago Tribune