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The White Monkey / A Silent Wooing (Forsyte Chronicles: A Modern Comedy, Bk 1 & Interlude)
The White Monkey / A Silent Wooing - Forsyte Chronicles: A Modern Comedy, Bk 1 & Interlude Author:John Galsworthy The White Monkey is opening book in the second trilogy of the Forsyte Chronicles. — 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 narr... more »ative examines not only their fortunes but also the wider developments within society, 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).
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.« less