John Galsworthy: The Silver Spoon (The Forsyte Saga 5.) (Penquin)

The Silver Spoon is the fifth volume in The Forsyte Chronicles, one of the most popular and enduring works of 20th-century literature. In creating the many extraordinary members of the Forsyte family, the author also drew a fascinating and accurately detailed picture of the British propertied class, from the wealth and security of the mid-Victorian era through the Edwardian high-noon to a post-War world of change, strikes, and social malaise. This volume carries on with the tale of Soames' daughter Fleur. Married to Michael Mont, in line for a Barony, the story focuses on Michael's start in Parliament and Fleur's inherent dissatisfaction with her marriage, not unlike her father's own experience only in this case it is Fleur who loves another. The American Frances Wilmont enters the scene bringing news that Fleur's real love, Jon, forbidden to her as the son of her father's ex-wife, has married Wilmont's sister. Fleur struggles to be happy and fulfilled, just as her father Soames did. 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 narrative 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).