Helpful Score: 4
Wonderful book. This is by the Screenwriter of Gosford Park. It is a "fun" look into the elite, and the lengths people will go to become a part of that world.
Helpful Score: 3
Loved it! While I am one who is attracted to Brit whit, I must say that I did not find it dry at all. It was fascinating to get what seemed like a very real picture of what it's like to be part of the modern manor-born. It's such an alien story for me, not anything like the life I've lead, but very intriguing to read about. I think of most of the landed gentry as being from a bygone era (except for the queen, prince, and their immediate family). Here we find a 1990s version of what it's like to be part of that world. I'm assuming it's a reasonable depiction, and would highly recommend the book.
Helpful Score: 2
A very entertaining read. Fans of the dry, British wit will enjoy its portrayal of class and class differences. Edith is a sometimes thorny character but I still enjoyed reading about her trials as the new wife of a lord, especially when she goes head to head with some of the sharper wits. If you like Fellowes' work on "Gosford Park" I would highly recommend this book!
Helpful Score: 2
An insight into the upper crust circles in England. A bit dry and wordy.
Helpful Score: 2
What a witty, hilarious commentary about the English class system. If you're an anglophile, you should read this book.
Helpful Score: 2
Hilarious snobbish novel about hilariously snobbish people involved in a society scanal..
Helpful Score: 2
From the author of "Gosford Park," a delicious trip inside the exclusive world of the British upper class (and those who aspire to it).
Helpful Score: 1
This book tells an intriguing story of "be careful what you wish for because you may get it" from both the "getting" and the "giving up" standpoint. Although I normally avoid audio books read by the author, it really works for this book. The author certainly seems to know his subject matter well. Bright and beautiful, but middle-class, Edith meets Charles Broughton, a sweet, but rather dull lord of the British aristocracy, and marries him, but life does not turn out to be quite the glamorous fairy tale life she had fantasied - or, in looking back, was it really the best? The author develops the major characters well though it is sometimes difficult to keep all the minor characters straight. The story is told with a light hand and kept me quite engaged to see how things would play out. I had not realized how strong the class system was in Britain as represented by this story and it was an absorbing peek into the inner workings of this upper-crust society.
Helpful Score: 1
This funny, satirical, gossipy and dishy novel was written by the Oscar-winning screenwriter of Gosford Park.
"Snobs" skewers upper-class Englsh snobbery and marital tomfoolery in 1990s London. Poor social climbing, middle-class Edith is snubbed and humiliated (in the slyest, politest possible way, of course) by the upper-class world of her husband the Lord. Finally, she (unfortunately) moves out in a huff with her married actor lover, Simon. Unfortunately for Simon, that is. Simon adores the publicity that comes with being seen with Countess Edith; and he is dying for an entrée into high society. However, he doesn't realize that Edith has not exactly been embraced by the social glitterati. Poor Edith too. The world of theater turns out to be just as snobbish, small-minded and dull as that of high society, but Edith realizes that for her, at least, it doesn't have as much money.
This book is a hoot. If you are intrigued by British class issues, I dare you to read a page or two and put it down. Impossible!
"Snobs" skewers upper-class Englsh snobbery and marital tomfoolery in 1990s London. Poor social climbing, middle-class Edith is snubbed and humiliated (in the slyest, politest possible way, of course) by the upper-class world of her husband the Lord. Finally, she (unfortunately) moves out in a huff with her married actor lover, Simon. Unfortunately for Simon, that is. Simon adores the publicity that comes with being seen with Countess Edith; and he is dying for an entrée into high society. However, he doesn't realize that Edith has not exactly been embraced by the social glitterati. Poor Edith too. The world of theater turns out to be just as snobbish, small-minded and dull as that of high society, but Edith realizes that for her, at least, it doesn't have as much money.
This book is a hoot. If you are intrigued by British class issues, I dare you to read a page or two and put it down. Impossible!
Helpful Score: 1
just a fun read - sort of a "beach reading" kind of book
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent story by the author of Gosford Park. What happiness does social climbing really bring? Can "ordinary" people marrying into the aristocracy ever truely fit in? Even in the modern world, the class structure still stands, weakened over time, but a barrier nevertheless. Lots of humour and sarcasm. Very funny and a little sad.
Very witty story that I thoroughly enjoyed once I got all the characters names straight
Interesting To listen to. At first I thought the details of the class structure would take away from the plot - but it really enhanced it.
An excellent light read, a comedy of manners as well as a romance of sorts. It really takes you inside the heroine's head--a normal person thrown into the aristocracy and how she deals with it.
A basic knowledge of all-things British would certainly increase the pleasure of this social commentary on the practices of the very wealthy. I adored this author as Lord Killwille in Monarch of the Glenn and I thoroughly enjoyed Gosford Park. I believe his wit is spot on and his knowledge of the class system and their foibles are both insiteful and outrageously funny. If it were not England and the English view of "fair play" I do believe he would not be "accepted" at many a banquet or social affair of the highest order. Funny and fun.
My only problem with this book is the style of writing. Goes back and forth from the first person to third person. Took a little getting used to. Other than that, the story and characters (though some I just wanted to strangle) were good, I can so see this as a "Masterpiece Theatre" mini series one day.
I wrote a review for this but I guess it got lost in the transer. Now I can't remember what the hell the book was about! English uppercrust. I'm trying to think ... that's all. Sorry!
