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The Forsyte Saga

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The Forsyte Saga

By: John Galsworthy
Narrated by: Fred Williams
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Summary

 The three novels that make up The Forsyte Saga chronicle the ebbing social power of the commercial upper-middle class Forsyte family through three generations, beginning in Victorian London during the 1880s and ending in the early 1920s. Galsworthy's masterly narrative examines not only their fortunes but also the wider developments within society, particularly the changing position of women.

The Forsyte Saga is a sequence of novels comprising The Man of Property (1906), In Chancery (1920), and To Let (1921) with two interludes, "Indian Summer of a Forsyte" (1918) and "Awakening", published together in 1922.

The saga begins with Soames Forsyte, a successful solicitor who buys land at Robin Hill on which to build a house for his wife Irene and future family. Eventually, the Forsyte family begins to disintegrate when Timothy Forsyte, the last of the old generation, dies at the age of 100.

In these novels, John Galsworthy documented a departed way of life, that of the affluent middle class that ruled England before the 1914 war. The class is criticized on account of its possessiveness, but there is also nostalgia because Galsworthy, as a man born into the class, could also appreciate its virtues.

(P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Romance England Middle Class Heartfelt Classics
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I don't want to listen to anything else read by this actor. He spoiled an excellent book.

The Forsyte Saga

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excellent book, excellent narrator!

excellent

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I liked the narration. Knowing the story I found the gravitas and slight sadness in the tone suitable. The pace gave time to reflect, as the characters are often doing - we share their innermost thoughts. I enjoy this rendition.

An atmospheric listen

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What made the experience of listening to The Forsyte Saga the most enjoyable?

What might feel somewhat unnatural and too elaborated in this drama in the beginning, thanks to the performer, becomes a truly enjoyable and insightful experience. By the end I new far more about Victorians, why the novel won Nobel Prize and why it is beloved by generations of British readers.

What other book might you compare The Forsyte Saga to, and why?

Being Russian I couldn't help comparing Galsworthy with great Russian writers. I would try to listen to the translation of the 'War and Piece' right after

What does Fred Williams bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Amazingly precise intonations and subtle meanings.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The 'Summer interlude' is very touching especially with this performance

Any additional comments?

Highly recommended

Amazing performance by Fred Williams

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It's a pleasure listening to the narration.
Maybe life was different 100 years ago but the human hearts were the same.

Loving hearts are free

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