John Galsworthy

John Galsworthy was an English novelist and playwright, known for his portrayal of the British upper middle class and for his social satire. He is best remembered for 'The Forsyte Saga,' a series of novels and short stories chronicling the lives of an affluent family over several generations. Galsworthy was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1932.

Books

This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

  1. 1. The Forsyte Saga

    Cover of 'The Forsyte Saga' by John Galsworthy

    "The Forsyte Saga" is a series of three novels and two interludes that chronicle the lives of a wealthy, upper-middle-class family in England during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The saga explores themes of social class, wealth, love, and the changing societal norms of the time, with a particular focus on the character of Soames Forsyte and his obsessive desire to possess both people and things. The narrative provides a detailed examination of the family's fortunes, misfortunes, and intricate relationships, offering a critique of the materialistic culture of the era.

  2. 2. Fraternity

    Cover of 'Fraternity' by John Galsworthy

    This narrative delves into the complexities of early 20th-century English society, exploring themes of social inequality, love, and the intricate dynamics within a bourgeois family. Set against the backdrop of London, it juxtaposes the lives of the wealthy and the impoverished, focusing on the interactions between members of an affluent family and their contrasting attitudes towards the less fortunate. The story critically examines the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by the characters, highlighting the tension between personal desires and societal expectations. Through its detailed portrayal of family relationships and social issues, the novel offers a poignant critique of the class disparities and social injustices of its time.

  3. 3. The Man of Property

    Cover of 'The Man of Property' by John Galsworthy

    "The Man of Property" is a novel set in the late 19th century England, focusing on the wealthy Forsyte family. The story revolves around Soames Forsyte, a successful solicitor who views everything, including his beautiful wife Irene, as property. His possessiveness and inability to comprehend love and passion lead to a marital crisis and a scandal within the family. The novel explores themes of wealth, social status, love, and the concept of property, offering a critique of the materialistic upper-middle-class society of the time.

  4. 4. The Country House

    Cover of 'The Country House' by John Galsworthy

    This novel delves into the complexities of familial bonds, societal expectations, and the inevitable changes brought about by time, set against the backdrop of a grand English country estate. It explores the lives of its inhabitants, who are caught between their loyalty to tradition and the pressures of modernity. Through the lens of a family grappling with their place in a rapidly evolving society, the narrative examines themes of love, duty, and the search for identity. The estate itself becomes a character, symbolizing the fading glory of the British aristocracy and the shifting social landscape of the early 20th century. Through detailed character studies and a richly described setting, the story offers a poignant commentary on the end of an era and the human struggle to find meaning amidst change.