The Silver Spoon

The Silver Spoon by John Galsworthy
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This fifth novel in the Saga began more weakly than any of the others, and it took me a while to get engaged in its particular story lines (this despite already being familiar with the main characters). Like "The White Monkey", it zeroes in on Soames, Fleur, and Michael to the expense of the other members of the family of whom I'd like to hear more.

This one was more explicitly satirical, particularly of post-World War I British politics and society. Michael is now a member of Parliament, and he is advancing a political philosophy with the Dickensian name of "Foggartism." Fleur's place is society is threatened by a libel suit which becomes the opportunity for satirizing the new morality of young people in the 1920's.

I did eventually engage with the storyline and felt that the novel ended strong. The cross examination during the trial was particularly delightful. I also enjoyed how Galsworthy structured some of the narrative, not taking every incident in a strict linear order, but backtracking here and there to catch up a character. It was nicely done. And, of course, he has such a joyous command of the English language.

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