4.13
Part of "A Dance to the Music of Time" series
"At Lady Molly’s" is the third novel in Anthony Powell’s twelve-volume series, “A Dance to the Music of Time.” The series is renowned for its intricate portrayal of English society in the 20th century, and “At Lady Molly’s” is no exception. The novel centers around the character of Nick Jenkins, who serves as the first-person narrator for the entire series. In “At Lady Molly’s,” Jenkins attends a party at the home of Lady Molly Jeavons, a wealthy and well-connected socialite. The party brings together a diverse cast of characters, including politicians, artists, and aristocrats, and serves as a microcosm of English society in the 1920s. Powell’s writing is characterized by its wit, intelligence, and subtlety. He has a keen eye for the nuances of social interaction, and his prose is filled with sharp observations and dry humor. The novel explores themes of class, power, and the passing of time, as Jenkins navigates the complex web of relationships that make up Lady Molly’s social circle. One of the strengths of “At Lady Molly’s” is its sense of place. Powell vividly evokes the atmosphere of Lady Molly’s grand house, with its opulent furnishings and air of faded elegance. The novel also captures the spirit of the times, with its jazz music, flapper dresses, and sense of liberation and experimentation. Overall, “At Lady Molly’s” is a rich and rewarding novel that offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of interwar England. It is a testament to Powell’s skill as a writer that he is able to create such a vivid and memorable portrait of a society in transition, and to imbue it with a sense of both nostalgia and critical distance. Whether you are new to Powell’s work or already a fan, “At Lady Molly’s” is a worthy addition to any reader’s bookshelf...
John Galsworthy
The Forsyte Saga
Fans of 'At Lady Molly's' will appreciate the multi-generational family saga and incisive social commentary in Galsworthy's 'The Forsyte Saga'. This series of interconnected novels and short stories follows the fortunes of the Forsyte family through the tumultuous early years of the 20th century, exploring themes of class, gender, and social change.
Learn MoreEvelyn Waugh
Brideshead Revisited
Like 'At Lady Molly's', 'Brideshead Revisited' is a novel of manners that delves into the lives of the British upper classes. Waugh's lush prose and evocative descriptions of the English countryside and grand estates will appeal to fans of Powell's writing, while the novel's exploration of themes such as religion, class, and family dynamics will resonate with readers of 'At Lady Molly's'.
Learn MoreHenry James
The Golden Bowl
Henry James's masterful prose and intricate plotting are on full display in 'The Golden Bowl', a novel that, like 'At Lady Molly's', explores the complex relationships between members of the upper classes. The novel's focus on themes of marriage, adultery, and social class will appeal to fans of Powell's work.
Learn MoreE.M. Forster
Howards End
In 'Howards End', E.M. Forster explores many of the same themes as 'At Lady Molly's', including class, gender, and social change. The novel's intricate plot and memorable characters will appeal to fans of Powell's work, while its exploration of the tensions between the upper and middle classes will resonate with readers of 'At Lady Molly's'.
Learn MoreEdith Wharton
The Age of Innocence
Set among the upper classes of New York society in the late 19th century, 'The Age of Innocence' explores many of the same themes as 'At Lady Molly's', including the constraints of social class and the tensions between tradition and modernity. Wharton's sharp social commentary and memorable characters will appeal to fans of Powell's work.
Learn MoreEdith Wharton
The Custom of the Country
In 'The Custom of the Country', Edith Wharton delves into the world of the American upper classes, exploring themes of social class, ambition, and materialism. The novel's sharp social commentary and intricate plot will appeal to fans of 'At Lady Molly's', while its exploration of the tensions between tradition and modernity will resonate with readers of Powell's work.
Learn MoreFord Madox Ford
The Good Soldier
Like 'At Lady Molly's', 'The Good Soldier' is a novel of manners that explores the complex relationships between members of the upper classes. Ford Madox Ford's intricate plotting and sharp social commentary will appeal to fans of Powell's work, while the novel's exploration of themes such as marriage, adultery, and social class will resonate with readers of 'At Lady Molly's'.
Learn MoreEdith Wharton
The House of Mirth
In 'The House of Mirth', Edith Wharton explores the world of New York's upper classes, following the fortunes of Lily Bart, a young woman struggling to maintain her social position in the face of financial difficulties and romantic entanglements. The novel's sharp social commentary and memorable characters will appeal to fans of 'At Lady Molly's'.
Learn MoreHenry James
The Wings of the Dove
Like 'At Lady Molly's', 'The Wings of the Dove' explores the complex relationships between members of the upper classes, as well as the tensions between tradition and modernity. Henry James's masterful prose and intricate plotting will appeal to fans of Powell's work, while the novel's exploration of themes such as marriage, money, and social class will resonate with readers of 'At Lady Molly's'.
Learn MoreHenry James
The Spoils of Poynton
In 'The Spoils of Poynton', Henry James explores the world of the British upper classes, following the fortunes of Mrs. Gereth, a wealthy widow who is determined to keep her valuable collection of art and furnishings out of the hands of her son's fiancee. The novel's sharp social commentary and memorable characters will appeal to fans of 'At Lady Molly's', while its exploration of themes such as class, gender, and materialism will resonate with readers of Powell's work.
Learn More