Julian Fellowes wrote the screenplay for the acclaimed movie "Gosford Park" and more recently the fabulous Masterpiece Theater production "Downton Abbey", for which he earned an Academy Award and an Emmy, respectively. Consequently, I was eager to read his novel "Snobs", which served as appropriate travel reading during our London vacation.
"Snobs" is a witty, often tongue-in-cheek, inside view into England's upper class and those who dare to enter their world by breaking their crystal ceiling. The novel's narrator, a British actor with an upper class background, observes the relationship between his friend Edith, a middle-class social climber, and Charles, the son of a highly respected, upper crust family. At times throughout the novel he is asked by both sides to intervene as a liason due to his understanding of both disparate worlds.
Edith meets Charles while visiting his stately country home, which is open to the general public for tours. He is genuinely besotted by her, while she finds him amicable enough to accept his marriage proposal. His wealth and social stature serve as the rose colored glasses which convinces her that she will find marital satisfaction. Edith soon becomes bored with her husband and discovers that her life is not as glamourous as she expected. This leads her into the arms of a strikingly handsome and charming actor, Simon. While Simon provides her with the passion and excitement that Charles could not provide, she realizes that her marriage with Charles provided her with status and security. Much to Charles mother's, Lady Uckfield's, dismay, Charles welcomes Edith back into his life.
I was conflicted in my opinion about this novel. On one hand, I felt the plot was trite and superficial. Edith's conceit, selfishness and shallowness angered me. I was completely disappointed in the ending in that she faced no repercussion for her infidelity. While the author often attempted to portray her as a sympathetic character, one with weaknesses rather than vices, I could not sympathize with her.
On the other hand, I was captivated with Julian Fellowes writing style and intrigued with his commentary on British upper class social mores. His writing is breezy, yet meaningful filled with humor and wit.
His astute insights into upper-class behavior and proclivities are artfully imbedded in the dialogue and narrative. While some of these observations may have been generalizations, which one is often at risk of making when making social commentaries, it was easy to overlook since like his screenplays his novel was engaging and entertaining.
