The novel explores the lives of two brothers, a wealthy and influential family's sons, who are part of an elite social circle in London. The story delves into their relationships with women, their struggles with identity, and the consequences of their actions. One brother is a member of a prestigious club, where he becomes embroiled in a scandal involving a woman from a lower social class. This event sets off a chain reaction that exposes the hypocrisy and superficiality of the upper-class society they inhabit. The other brother, who is more introspective and sensitive, grapples with his own sense of purpose and belonging within this same social circle. He becomes increasingly disillusioned with the values and morals of those around him. Throughout the novel, Galsworthy critiques the social conventions and class divisions that govern the lives of these characters, highlighting the tension between their public personas and private desires.
By John Galsworthy · First published 1901 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Drama · 41 chapters