John Galsworthy - Swan Song: The Third Book of the Second Trilogy (A Modern Comedy)

by John Galsworthy and Sir John Galsworthy

Book Overview

John Galsworthy was born at Kingston Upon Thames in Surrey, England, on August 14th 1867 to a wealthy and well established family. His schooling was at Harrow and New College, Oxford before training as a barrister and being called to the bar in 1890. However, Law was not attractive to him and he travelled abroad becoming great friends with the novelist Joseph Conrad, then a first mate on a sailing ship. In 1895 Galsworthy began an affair with Ada...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1787371085
• ISBN13: 9781787371088
• Release Date: March 2017
• Publisher: Horse's Mouth
• Length: 244 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Moving conclusion to A Modern Comedy.

Jon has returned to England. His return brings an end to the peace of mind of Fleur and Michael. Jon may have moved on and fallen in love again with Ann, but Fleur has never loved everyone but Jon. Swan Song has many of the usual Forsyte book tropes-- commentary on modern life offered through the observations of old men; June introducing us to the latest artistic schools; Forsyte paralysis when faced with the unblinking desire to do the wrong thing. As with the five books preceding this, it is all wonderfully well written. Michael and Fleur encountering people doing the Charleston is a particularly charming moment. Swan Song is so powerful partly because of the mixed emotions it has about Fleur. While Galsworthy gamely soldiers on to complete the cycle of doom begun by Soames and Irene, it is evident that he has a great deal of sympathy for Fleur. This installment shows her at her best as well as showing her at her worst. She is the swan of the book, singing her loveliest song. A worthy ending to the second Forsyte trilogy and a very readable instalment in this underappreciated series.