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A Family Man
John Galsworthy OM (1867-1933) was an English novelist and playwright. He is viewed as one of the first writers of the Edwardian era; challenging in his works some of the ideals of society depicted in the preceeding literature of Victorian England. He won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1932. Notable works include The Forsyte Saga (1906-1921) and its sequels, A Modern Comedy and End of the Chapter.
From the Four Winds was Galsworthy's first published work in 1897, a collection of short stories. These, and several subsequent works, were published under the pen name John Sinjohn and it would not be until The Island Pharisees (1904) that he would begin publishing under his own name.
His first play, The Silver Box (1906) became a success, and he followed it up with The Man of Property (1906), the first in the Forsyte trilogy. Along with other writers of the time such as Shaw his plays addressed the class system and social issues, two of the best known being Strife (1909) and The Skin Game (1920).
From the Four Winds was Galsworthy's first published work in 1897, a collection of short stories. These, and several subsequent works, were published under the pen name John Sinjohn and it would not be until The Island Pharisees (1904) that he would begin publishing under his own name.
His first play, The Silver Box (1906) became a success, and he followed it up with The Man of Property (1906), the first in the Forsyte trilogy. Along with other writers of the time such as Shaw his plays addressed the class system and social issues, two of the best known being Strife (1909) and The Skin Game (1920).
116 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1922
About the author
John Galsworthy
2,430 books492 followersLiterary career of English novelist and playwright John Galsworthy, who used John Sinjohn as a pseudonym, spanned the Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian eras.
In addition to his prolific literary status, Galsworthy was also a renowned social activist. He was an outspoken advocate for the women's suffrage movement, prison reform and animal rights. Galsworthy was the president of PEN, an organization that sought to promote international cooperation through literature.
John Galsworthy was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature in 1932 "for his distinguished art of narration which takes its highest form in The Forsyte Saga."
In addition to his prolific literary status, Galsworthy was also a renowned social activist. He was an outspoken advocate for the women's suffrage movement, prison reform and animal rights. Galsworthy was the president of PEN, an organization that sought to promote international cooperation through literature.
John Galsworthy was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature in 1932 "for his distinguished art of narration which takes its highest form in The Forsyte Saga."
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 8, 2016
Provincial play in three acts, very much of its Edwardian times but neat, tidy and entertaining enough all the same.
John Builder is a successful contractor and magistrate in the midland town of Breconsfield, about to be named the next mayor. His eldest daughter has flown the next and his younger is about to do the same, both having lost respect for him due to his bad temper and oppressive conservatism.
Everything about the play was entirely as I expected it to be given the writer and the year he wrote it, from Builder's concern for his 'position' to the occasional malapropism from the servants and a few lame jokes at the expense of a working class character that none the less would still merit a laugh if a production was staged tomorrow.
The following excerpt, whete Builder responds to his younger daughter's claim that provincial Breconsfield is behind the times, pretty much tells you all you need to know:
BUILDER. Oh! you think so! That's the inflammatory fiction you pick up. I tell you what, young woman—the sooner you and your sister get rid of your silly notions about not living at home, and making your own way, the sooner you'll both get married and make it. Men don't like the new spirit in women—they may say they do, but they don't.
MAUD. You don't, father, I know.
BUILDER. Well, I'm very ordinary. If you keep your eyes open, you'll soon see that.
MAUD. Men don't like freedom for anybody but themselves.
BUILDER. That's not the way to put it. [Tapping out his pipe] Women in your class have never had to face realities.
MAUD. No, but we want to.
John Builder is a successful contractor and magistrate in the midland town of Breconsfield, about to be named the next mayor. His eldest daughter has flown the next and his younger is about to do the same, both having lost respect for him due to his bad temper and oppressive conservatism.
Everything about the play was entirely as I expected it to be given the writer and the year he wrote it, from Builder's concern for his 'position' to the occasional malapropism from the servants and a few lame jokes at the expense of a working class character that none the less would still merit a laugh if a production was staged tomorrow.
The following excerpt, whete Builder responds to his younger daughter's claim that provincial Breconsfield is behind the times, pretty much tells you all you need to know:
BUILDER. Oh! you think so! That's the inflammatory fiction you pick up. I tell you what, young woman—the sooner you and your sister get rid of your silly notions about not living at home, and making your own way, the sooner you'll both get married and make it. Men don't like the new spirit in women—they may say they do, but they don't.
MAUD. You don't, father, I know.
BUILDER. Well, I'm very ordinary. If you keep your eyes open, you'll soon see that.
MAUD. Men don't like freedom for anybody but themselves.
BUILDER. That's not the way to put it. [Tapping out his pipe] Women in your class have never had to face realities.
MAUD. No, but we want to.
June 15, 2021
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A Family Man : in three acts, by John Galsworthy.
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About institution of marriage and how it has dehumanised most people, especially women, subjugated socially to males.
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A Family Man : in three acts, by John Galsworthy.
................................................................................................
................................................................................................
About institution of marriage and how it has dehumanised most people, especially women, subjugated socially to males.
................................................................................................
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April 26, 2023
Fantastic book. I listened to the free audiobook version on YouTube. I will leave the link below so everyone can enjoy it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBzPX...
March 16, 2025
Exellent book
Fantastic writer, Galsworthy, was, exellent book, even today! So detailed and fine in all aspects. Book worth the money! Marvellous!
Fantastic writer, Galsworthy, was, exellent book, even today! So detailed and fine in all aspects. Book worth the money! Marvellous!
June 8, 2022
I read part of this for Librivox:
https://librivox.org/a-family-man-by-...
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22lNh...
https://librivox.org/a-family-man-by-...
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22lNh...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews