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House of Trelawney
From the author of
The Improbability of Love
comes a dazzling novel both satirical and moving, about an eccentric, dysfunctional family of English aristocrats and their crumbling stately home, demonstrating how the lives and hopes of women can be shaped by the ties of family and love.
For more than seven hundred years, the vast, rambling Trelawney Castle in Cornwall--turrets, follies, a room for every day of the year, four miles of corridors and 500,000 acres--was the magnificent and grand three dimensional calling card of the earls of Trelawney. By 2008, it is in a complete state of ruin due to the dulled ambition and the financial ineptitude of twenty-four earls, two world wars, the Wall Street crash, and inheritance taxes. Still: the heir to all of it, Kitto, his wife, Jane, their three children, their dog, Kitto's ancient parents, and his aunt Tuffy Scott, an entomologist who studies fleas, all manage to live there and (barely) keep it going.
Four women dominate the story: Jane; Kitto's sister, Blaze, who left Trelawney and made a killing in finance in London, the wildly beautiful, seductive, and long-ago banished Anastasia and her daughter, Ayesha. When Anastasia sends a letter announcing that her nineteen-year-old daughter, Ayesha, will be coming to stay, the long-estranged Blaze and Jane must band together to take charge of their new visitor--and save the house of Trelawney. But both Blaze and Jane are about to discover that the house itself is really only a very small part of what keeps the family together.
For more than seven hundred years, the vast, rambling Trelawney Castle in Cornwall--turrets, follies, a room for every day of the year, four miles of corridors and 500,000 acres--was the magnificent and grand three dimensional calling card of the earls of Trelawney. By 2008, it is in a complete state of ruin due to the dulled ambition and the financial ineptitude of twenty-four earls, two world wars, the Wall Street crash, and inheritance taxes. Still: the heir to all of it, Kitto, his wife, Jane, their three children, their dog, Kitto's ancient parents, and his aunt Tuffy Scott, an entomologist who studies fleas, all manage to live there and (barely) keep it going.
Four women dominate the story: Jane; Kitto's sister, Blaze, who left Trelawney and made a killing in finance in London, the wildly beautiful, seductive, and long-ago banished Anastasia and her daughter, Ayesha. When Anastasia sends a letter announcing that her nineteen-year-old daughter, Ayesha, will be coming to stay, the long-estranged Blaze and Jane must band together to take charge of their new visitor--and save the house of Trelawney. But both Blaze and Jane are about to discover that the house itself is really only a very small part of what keeps the family together.
384 pages, Paperback
First published February 11, 2020
367 people are currently reading
13347 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Rothschild
9 books412 followersHannah Rothschild is the author of House of Trelawney; The Baroness: The Search for Nica, the Rebellious Rothschild; and The Improbability of Love which was shortlisted for the Bailley's prize for womens' fiction and won the PG Wodehouse, Everyman, Bollinger prize for best comic novel in 2016.
Her feature length BBC/HBO documentaries have appeared at such festivals as Telluride and Tribeca. She's written for Vanity Fair, Vogue, The Independent, Elle, Bazaar, T and C, The Times, The Telegraph, the NYT and others. She's a vice president of the Hay Literary Festival, a former trustee of the Tate Gallery, and was the first woman chair of the National Gallery in London. In 2018 she was made a Commander of The British Empire for services to literature and philanthropy.
(source: Amazon)
Her feature length BBC/HBO documentaries have appeared at such festivals as Telluride and Tribeca. She's written for Vanity Fair, Vogue, The Independent, Elle, Bazaar, T and C, The Times, The Telegraph, the NYT and others. She's a vice president of the Hay Literary Festival, a former trustee of the Tate Gallery, and was the first woman chair of the National Gallery in London. In 2018 she was made a Commander of The British Empire for services to literature and philanthropy.
(source: Amazon)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 640 reviews
November 25, 2019
Hannah Mary Rothschild charts the misfortunes and disintegration of the aristocratic Trelawney family with a 800 year history living in the famous Trelawney Castle, a mishmash of styles, now in a dilapidated state, physically falling down around them. The recent Earls of Trelawney have run through their fortune, and the present Earl, Kitto, is married to Jane, who scrimps and saves, is the one keeping the family together, working her fingers to the bones. Kitto's elderly parents live a delusional and anachronistic life with their airs and graces, the ghastly Clarissa, in particular, is imperious, with her outdated unpalatable views. The Trelawney men are largely useless and ineffective, and the future heir, Kitto's son, Ambrose, an embarrassment, is clearly not going to be any answer to solving the immediate problems that the family need to address.
Set in the turbulent year of 2008, we follow the dysfunctional family, in particular the women, Jane, Blaze, an investment banker, Tuffy, an eminent academic with her interest in fleas, and the daughter of the dying Anastasia, a friend, Ayesha, arriving from India to create waves within the family. It is the estranged Blaze who comes up with a plan to save the ancestral home, whilst Jane manages the practicalities of putting it into action. Blaze was the lone and derided voice that saw the sub prime financial crisis coming, ridiculed by her new boss, the brash amoral money making machine that is the American, Sleet. Having given up on love, Blaze falls for Wolf, an obstacle ridden relationship, she puts it second to the ties that she feels that bind her irrevocably to the family. Tuffy is viewed as the mad woman, although the young Arabella finds her a role model.
Rothschild writes a satirical, at times humorous, novel about class and the aristocracy, living in penury, with an eccentric cast of characters and family, referred to as 'myopic Jurassic has-beens' exercising feudal values and injustices with the banishment of members of the family. It is Tuffy who comments wisely that it takes enormous power and self belief to cut the umbilical cord to begin another story, by choosing to walk a new path in life, most practice natal homing. It is the women that provide the slap in the face of tradition, undermined and invisible, yet resourceful, resilient, who counter the problems caused by the male Earls. The author's portrayal of the decline of the aristocracy is richly detailed, the characters have an authentic feel and an insider knowledge of the aristocracy. An entertaining read inhabited by characters that captured my interest, even if I didn't always like them. Many thanks to Bloomsbury for an ARC.
Set in the turbulent year of 2008, we follow the dysfunctional family, in particular the women, Jane, Blaze, an investment banker, Tuffy, an eminent academic with her interest in fleas, and the daughter of the dying Anastasia, a friend, Ayesha, arriving from India to create waves within the family. It is the estranged Blaze who comes up with a plan to save the ancestral home, whilst Jane manages the practicalities of putting it into action. Blaze was the lone and derided voice that saw the sub prime financial crisis coming, ridiculed by her new boss, the brash amoral money making machine that is the American, Sleet. Having given up on love, Blaze falls for Wolf, an obstacle ridden relationship, she puts it second to the ties that she feels that bind her irrevocably to the family. Tuffy is viewed as the mad woman, although the young Arabella finds her a role model.
Rothschild writes a satirical, at times humorous, novel about class and the aristocracy, living in penury, with an eccentric cast of characters and family, referred to as 'myopic Jurassic has-beens' exercising feudal values and injustices with the banishment of members of the family. It is Tuffy who comments wisely that it takes enormous power and self belief to cut the umbilical cord to begin another story, by choosing to walk a new path in life, most practice natal homing. It is the women that provide the slap in the face of tradition, undermined and invisible, yet resourceful, resilient, who counter the problems caused by the male Earls. The author's portrayal of the decline of the aristocracy is richly detailed, the characters have an authentic feel and an insider knowledge of the aristocracy. An entertaining read inhabited by characters that captured my interest, even if I didn't always like them. Many thanks to Bloomsbury for an ARC.
April 4, 2020
For seven hundred years, Trelawney have been occupied by the same family line. Once known for its grandeur and large house parties, visiting royalty and dignitaries, the house and family is a shadow of its former self. The money has run out, the house in serious despair as nature has invaded in many places. The current Lord has no aptitude in the field of moneymaking and his wife and three children are all suffering, but making the best of a bad situation.
Although this book did start out slowly, this novel of a declining aristocracy has some unique, interesting and very eccentric characters. It includes much in the outside world such as the 2008 market crash and bank failings. A provacitive love interest and aunt who finds more value in bugs and moss, than in most of the remaining family members. It is the grande came of the family that provides many of the humorous moments, as she refused to let go of the house and status she once enjoyed. An 18th birthday party and s naming ceremony were a hoot, literally had me in stitches.
A meaningful and lovely interlude of a way of life that is no more.
"One is proud of winning a flower show or the Cheltenham Gold Cup; family is a thing you have to put up with. You hope to respect them, even like them, but it's better not to set the bar too high."
Although this book did start out slowly, this novel of a declining aristocracy has some unique, interesting and very eccentric characters. It includes much in the outside world such as the 2008 market crash and bank failings. A provacitive love interest and aunt who finds more value in bugs and moss, than in most of the remaining family members. It is the grande came of the family that provides many of the humorous moments, as she refused to let go of the house and status she once enjoyed. An 18th birthday party and s naming ceremony were a hoot, literally had me in stitches.
A meaningful and lovely interlude of a way of life that is no more.
"One is proud of winning a flower show or the Cheltenham Gold Cup; family is a thing you have to put up with. You hope to respect them, even like them, but it's better not to set the bar too high."
September 8, 2020
If her family shared a common trait, it was to conceal an anarchic streak under a conventional veneer.
I loved The Improbability of Love, it hit every chamber of my reading heart--superb writing, clever plotting, characters both loathsome and lovable--set in the art world with a painting providing droll witticisms, thump, thump, thump! After waiting a few years for this author’s next book, though, my heart needed a defibrillator.
It started well enough, I was laughing and bookmarking this satirical story of decrepitude and dysfunctional aristocrats, I couldn’t wait to unearth what secrets the crumbling castle held. That’s where the magic stopped as the story took on more plotlines than the manse had rooms. The 2008 banking crisis and financial crash, a hedge fund led by a man with revenge on his mind, an illegitimate child with plans of her own, the strangest of romances between a spurned daughter and billionaire, the list goes on. Inconsistent and oddly paced, I lost the plot too often.
Suffice it to say that it took me more than a month to finish what I had hoped would be an escapist read. I walked away from it three times, each time the siren song of Rothchild’s writing brought me back. Did the disparate threads come together? They did, of a sort, if that’s any consolation. And she threw in a few comic last bits, the aging Countess in a Kardashian-like reality show was inspired, if only there’d been more satire, less meandering plot.
I’m still giving it three stars because the writing is THAT good, it’s the story that didn’t quite get my heart soaring.
I loved The Improbability of Love, it hit every chamber of my reading heart--superb writing, clever plotting, characters both loathsome and lovable--set in the art world with a painting providing droll witticisms, thump, thump, thump! After waiting a few years for this author’s next book, though, my heart needed a defibrillator.
It started well enough, I was laughing and bookmarking this satirical story of decrepitude and dysfunctional aristocrats, I couldn’t wait to unearth what secrets the crumbling castle held. That’s where the magic stopped as the story took on more plotlines than the manse had rooms. The 2008 banking crisis and financial crash, a hedge fund led by a man with revenge on his mind, an illegitimate child with plans of her own, the strangest of romances between a spurned daughter and billionaire, the list goes on. Inconsistent and oddly paced, I lost the plot too often.
Suffice it to say that it took me more than a month to finish what I had hoped would be an escapist read. I walked away from it three times, each time the siren song of Rothchild’s writing brought me back. Did the disparate threads come together? They did, of a sort, if that’s any consolation. And she threw in a few comic last bits, the aging Countess in a Kardashian-like reality show was inspired, if only there’d been more satire, less meandering plot.
I’m still giving it three stars because the writing is THAT good, it’s the story that didn’t quite get my heart soaring.
January 29, 2020
I actually read this book at the end of last year, but waited a bit to get close to the publication date, which is 6th Feb in the UK.
It’s a book I was excited to read because I read The Improbability of Love, author’s first book and loved it. I probably loved this one even more! Somehow, Rothschild’s books are full of topics I’m very interested in, like art, aristocracy, history, economy, a bit of nature sciences. So, she’s definitely a personal favourite.
House of Trelawney is a parade of eccentric characters of the aristocratic family, Trelawneys. They still live in their crumbling state in Cornwall. Kitto, the current Earl is struggling to keep things together. Jane, his wife is drowned under the amount of work with kis, in-laws and the house. The parents reject to connect to the modern world. Blaze is the strong sister, quarrelled with the family, is busy making money in financial markets, but very lonely. Aunt Tuffy is a renowned entomologist, still doing her research in some part of the state. (My absolute favourite character!). There are more interesting characters along the story, but I’ll let you discover them yourselves :)
The story is written in a very witty, dramatised tone; kind of a satire. I giggled so many times and I underlined many parts that were funny, intelligent or insightful. It’s a very rich book that shows a lot of life experience, research and closeness to the subject matters. I’m not surprised because Rothschild is coming from an aristocratic family and close to finance world as well. Her style was very authentic, and at the same time differentiated with the satirical style she chose to write with. The description of the financial crises of 2008 was no less than exceptional, integrated in the story very well. Being an economist myself, I found it quite thrilling to read about.
Characters’ voices were very distinct from each other, and they developed through time and the plot very well. Blaze and Jane’s story warmed my heart a lot. The Dowager Countess, through the end reminded me of Downton’s Abby’s, and certainly entertained me a lot! There were even surprises when we got closer to the finale. I thought the last quarter could be a tad shorter. Regardless, I enjoyed it a lot, and it ended up being a 5 star read. 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
I’ll drop here one of my favourite quotes from my favourite character Aunt Tuffy:
“Our ability to tell, create and believe in stories is Homo sapiens’ most powerful weapon. It’s how we organise ourselves, how we control each other, how we justify our decisions. If we didn’t have them, we’d be like fleas or rabbits or any other member of the animal kingdom, beings just trying to get through the day. Religion is just a story. Waitrose tells a better story than Lidl. Most things you learn at school are irrelevant, but you’ve been assured they’re important. You buy your car from one company over another because a salesman told you a better tale about its gearbox or revolutions per minute.”
House Of Tralewney will definitely make my top books of 2020. Here’s my plea to the author @Hannah I wish there were spin off books driven from many characters from this family. I’d love to read about Blaze, Jane, a prequel with the parents, and especially Aunt Tuffy! We need an Aunt Tuffy book full of nature, fleas and craziness💓
It’s a book I was excited to read because I read The Improbability of Love, author’s first book and loved it. I probably loved this one even more! Somehow, Rothschild’s books are full of topics I’m very interested in, like art, aristocracy, history, economy, a bit of nature sciences. So, she’s definitely a personal favourite.
House of Trelawney is a parade of eccentric characters of the aristocratic family, Trelawneys. They still live in their crumbling state in Cornwall. Kitto, the current Earl is struggling to keep things together. Jane, his wife is drowned under the amount of work with kis, in-laws and the house. The parents reject to connect to the modern world. Blaze is the strong sister, quarrelled with the family, is busy making money in financial markets, but very lonely. Aunt Tuffy is a renowned entomologist, still doing her research in some part of the state. (My absolute favourite character!). There are more interesting characters along the story, but I’ll let you discover them yourselves :)
The story is written in a very witty, dramatised tone; kind of a satire. I giggled so many times and I underlined many parts that were funny, intelligent or insightful. It’s a very rich book that shows a lot of life experience, research and closeness to the subject matters. I’m not surprised because Rothschild is coming from an aristocratic family and close to finance world as well. Her style was very authentic, and at the same time differentiated with the satirical style she chose to write with. The description of the financial crises of 2008 was no less than exceptional, integrated in the story very well. Being an economist myself, I found it quite thrilling to read about.
Characters’ voices were very distinct from each other, and they developed through time and the plot very well. Blaze and Jane’s story warmed my heart a lot. The Dowager Countess, through the end reminded me of Downton’s Abby’s, and certainly entertained me a lot! There were even surprises when we got closer to the finale. I thought the last quarter could be a tad shorter. Regardless, I enjoyed it a lot, and it ended up being a 5 star read. 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
I’ll drop here one of my favourite quotes from my favourite character Aunt Tuffy:
“Our ability to tell, create and believe in stories is Homo sapiens’ most powerful weapon. It’s how we organise ourselves, how we control each other, how we justify our decisions. If we didn’t have them, we’d be like fleas or rabbits or any other member of the animal kingdom, beings just trying to get through the day. Religion is just a story. Waitrose tells a better story than Lidl. Most things you learn at school are irrelevant, but you’ve been assured they’re important. You buy your car from one company over another because a salesman told you a better tale about its gearbox or revolutions per minute.”
House Of Tralewney will definitely make my top books of 2020. Here’s my plea to the author @Hannah I wish there were spin off books driven from many characters from this family. I’d love to read about Blaze, Jane, a prequel with the parents, and especially Aunt Tuffy! We need an Aunt Tuffy book full of nature, fleas and craziness💓
January 23, 2020
A deliciously wicked novel about a dysfunctional aristocratic family and their crumbling mansion. The Trelawneys have lived in Trelawney Castle for eight centuries and seen the house grow from a humble home to a stately one with additions made over the ages. But now in 2008, after two world wars, the great depression and a series of inept Earls, the family has run out of money to keep any staff or pay for the restorations needed.
Neither the current Earl, Kitto, his elderly father or his eldest son, Ambrose, have the ability or business acumen to restore the family fortune and it is up to Kitto's wife, Jane to keep the house running, look after his elderly parents and keep their own three children fed and clothed as best as she can. When even more financial disaster hits, Jane finds herself an ally in Kitto's sister Blaze, a hedge fund manager, and together they come up with a plan to make the house pay for itself. However, fate throws them a spanner in the works in the form of the beautiful nineteen year old daughter of a dying friend from the past.
This is a witty and entertaining novel about a dying aristocracy, the fight to save decaying historical homes and a family at odds with the modern world. As a member of a famous banking family and daughter of a Baron herself, the author writes of this world with an assured authenticity. The characters are excellent in all their quirkiness - Kitto, almost a caricature of the entitled, bumbling aristocrat, Kitto's mother, the Dowager Countess still living in the past and mad Aunt Tuffy who is not mad but is actually a world renowned entomologist and climate biologist. The women of the family are the real treasure here with Blaze, a financial wiz but hopeless at relationships and Jane the put upon wife, the ones who will eventually show the rest of the family the true meaning of home.
With many thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for a digital ARC to read.
Neither the current Earl, Kitto, his elderly father or his eldest son, Ambrose, have the ability or business acumen to restore the family fortune and it is up to Kitto's wife, Jane to keep the house running, look after his elderly parents and keep their own three children fed and clothed as best as she can. When even more financial disaster hits, Jane finds herself an ally in Kitto's sister Blaze, a hedge fund manager, and together they come up with a plan to make the house pay for itself. However, fate throws them a spanner in the works in the form of the beautiful nineteen year old daughter of a dying friend from the past.
This is a witty and entertaining novel about a dying aristocracy, the fight to save decaying historical homes and a family at odds with the modern world. As a member of a famous banking family and daughter of a Baron herself, the author writes of this world with an assured authenticity. The characters are excellent in all their quirkiness - Kitto, almost a caricature of the entitled, bumbling aristocrat, Kitto's mother, the Dowager Countess still living in the past and mad Aunt Tuffy who is not mad but is actually a world renowned entomologist and climate biologist. The women of the family are the real treasure here with Blaze, a financial wiz but hopeless at relationships and Jane the put upon wife, the ones who will eventually show the rest of the family the true meaning of home.
With many thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for a digital ARC to read.
February 26, 2020
Such an uneven book. The concept is terrific: a vast and ancient Cornwall house is crumbling, along with the family that built it. Will the three generations living there be the last, especially as the financial collapse of 2008 hits?
The main problem is that many characters are obnoxious, while the rest are their own worst enemies. One of the featured characters makes a regular practice of jumping to incorrect conclusions, which blow up in her face. Other characters disappear for long stretches.
This is supposed to be a satire, but it doesn’t feel much like one. It could have been a lively satire with a romantic streak, as I guess it was supposed to be, but it needed some serious rewriting to get there.
The subject matter of this book appealed to me more than Hannah Rothschild’s first book, The Impossibility of Love, but the first book was a much better constructed story.
The main problem is that many characters are obnoxious, while the rest are their own worst enemies. One of the featured characters makes a regular practice of jumping to incorrect conclusions, which blow up in her face. Other characters disappear for long stretches.
This is supposed to be a satire, but it doesn’t feel much like one. It could have been a lively satire with a romantic streak, as I guess it was supposed to be, but it needed some serious rewriting to get there.
The subject matter of this book appealed to me more than Hannah Rothschild’s first book, The Impossibility of Love, but the first book was a much better constructed story.
dnf
February 8, 2020DNF 40%
NetGalley was nice enough to accept my request to read House of Trelawney. Sadly, I soon discovered that this book wasn't quite what I'd envisioned...
40% of the way in and the story (as such) has only just sort of begun. In the 100 pages that precede this so-called-story we are presented with countless scenes showing us how pathetic and silly the Trelawneys all are.
Most of the men in this novel are a mixture of bumbling and patronising fools.
The women are subservient or considered weird/odd/undesirable and cannot stand up for themselves.
I'm fine with stories focused on dysfunctional family wealthy or not (HBO's Succession is one of my favourite shows) but these caricatures of the so called aristocracy lacked bite or wit. Just because they are made to seem ridiculous doesn't mean that they are funny or clever satirical portraits of certain aristocratic/privileged types.
Worse still is that nothing much happens. The story is dull on all fronts.
The Trelawney's House is only vaguely rendered. We have no clear descriptions other than it is 'run down'.
The characters, who are predictably whiny and self-absorbed, remind me very much of the ones from
Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld . Exaggerating their quirks and behaviours doesn't really result in satire....
Since time is precious and all that, I'm doing myself a favour by abandoning this novel.
Ifunfunny satirical and uneventful stories are your thing you might want to check this out...
Read more reviews on my blog / / / View all my reviews on Goodreads
NetGalley was nice enough to accept my request to read House of Trelawney. Sadly, I soon discovered that this book wasn't quite what I'd envisioned...
40% of the way in and the story (as such) has only just sort of begun. In the 100 pages that precede this so-called-story we are presented with countless scenes showing us how pathetic and silly the Trelawneys all are.
Most of the men in this novel are a mixture of bumbling and patronising fools.
The women are subservient or considered weird/odd/undesirable and cannot stand up for themselves.
I'm fine with stories focused on dysfunctional family wealthy or not (HBO's Succession is one of my favourite shows) but these caricatures of the so called aristocracy lacked bite or wit. Just because they are made to seem ridiculous doesn't mean that they are funny or clever satirical portraits of certain aristocratic/privileged types.
Worse still is that nothing much happens. The story is dull on all fronts.
The Trelawney's House is only vaguely rendered. We have no clear descriptions other than it is 'run down'.
The characters, who are predictably whiny and self-absorbed, remind me very much of the ones from
Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld . Exaggerating their quirks and behaviours doesn't really result in satire....
Since time is precious and all that, I'm doing myself a favour by abandoning this novel.
If
Read more reviews on my blog / / / View all my reviews on Goodreads
April 28, 2020
If there was a minus star rating, this is the book that would receive it. SOOOOO badly written, i don't know where to begin. So here are a few bullets summarizing the situation:
• stitled, wooden dialogues
• horrible pacing - extremely abrupt and unrealistic
• no story really. I kept reading it thinking there must be a point. There wasn't.
• weird mixed up and stunted plotlines
• Rothschild thinks India is still all elephants, diaphanous harem pants and DENGUE FEVER. Jesus!
Please don't waste your time on this. And to think I got a hardback 😒😒😒
• stitled, wooden dialogues
• horrible pacing - extremely abrupt and unrealistic
• no story really. I kept reading it thinking there must be a point. There wasn't.
• weird mixed up and stunted plotlines
• Rothschild thinks India is still all elephants, diaphanous harem pants and DENGUE FEVER. Jesus!
Please don't waste your time on this. And to think I got a hardback 😒😒😒
October 10, 2023
This was a very entertaining read right up until the last quarter of the novel. At that point I started to suspect that this would be part of a trilogy. More filler started appearing and there were a few "cliff hangers". I can't abide filler: my speed reading skills kick into autopilot and I am no longer fully immersed in the story. A shame, really, because I used to devour Jilly Cooper's books, until they started sounding dictated and unpolished. I'm still glad that I read this first installment, but the second installment was a disappointment.
I finally picked up the sequel, High Time!, from my local library, I was dismayed to find that the author had somehow lost track of certain key events that happened in the first book, House of Trelawney. Some of the more colourful characters became bland templates in this second installment, and a certain steamy dirty weekend must have been erased from the author's memory. But more on that faux pas in my short review for the disappointing sequel: High Time.
I'm on a bit of a "review production hiatus" at the moment: Work, work, work! I am still reading, of course, but I don't have much spare time to gush about my great (and not so great) reads. House of Trelawney was great right up until the end. I am SO not into serialized novels!
I finally picked up the sequel, High Time!, from my local library, I was dismayed to find that the author had somehow lost track of certain key events that happened in the first book, House of Trelawney. Some of the more colourful characters became bland templates in this second installment, and a certain steamy dirty weekend must have been erased from the author's memory. But more on that faux pas in my short review for the disappointing sequel: High Time.
I'm on a bit of a "review production hiatus" at the moment: Work, work, work! I am still reading, of course, but I don't have much spare time to gush about my great (and not so great) reads. House of Trelawney was great right up until the end. I am SO not into serialized novels!
January 9, 2020
It must be the current political climate, but I am just not bothered about the eccentricities of any aristocratic family and their slow decline and hunt for former glory. When I requested the book, I did not take this into consideration. Really me, rather than the book but all these type of English novels are just not working for me at present, which is neither the author's fault, nor the books. I dnfed around 20%.
February 21, 2020
I really liked the setup, the descriptions of the crumbling castle and grounds, but the characters are so flat and the writing is too. Lots of dialogue is followed by "he shouted", "she yelled", "he opined", "she giggled", etc., lots of trains of thought are spelled out in clunky detail, it's just painful. I read a substantial portion but had to give up at 25%.
February 11, 2020
3.5/5
This isn’t my typical kind of read but there was something so intriguing to me about an aristocratic, dysfunctional family that I decided to take a chance on it. I’m really glad that I did because I found this one to be witty, quirky and entertaining. Sometimes it’s nice to step outside my comfort zone a little and that’s one of my personal reading goals for the year.
This one was really character driven, it focused on the family dynamics and the eccentricities of each family member and they were an odd bunch. It was a little over the top, very satirical and even a little theatrical at times, but I liked that aspect especially since the plot itself almost seemed secondary to the cast of characters as well as the House of Trewlaney. The house was a character all on its own, there was SO much history, and if I’m honest maybe a tiny bit too much for me, but overall I did enjoy this one and the author is a very talented writer.
This isn’t my typical kind of read but there was something so intriguing to me about an aristocratic, dysfunctional family that I decided to take a chance on it. I’m really glad that I did because I found this one to be witty, quirky and entertaining. Sometimes it’s nice to step outside my comfort zone a little and that’s one of my personal reading goals for the year.
This one was really character driven, it focused on the family dynamics and the eccentricities of each family member and they were an odd bunch. It was a little over the top, very satirical and even a little theatrical at times, but I liked that aspect especially since the plot itself almost seemed secondary to the cast of characters as well as the House of Trewlaney. The house was a character all on its own, there was SO much history, and if I’m honest maybe a tiny bit too much for me, but overall I did enjoy this one and the author is a very talented writer.
May 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! It had all the things I enjoy such as Country House, Family drama, slight romantic tones, revenge and the decline of the English Upper Classes!
Well written with that lovely Nancy Mitford style of writing comedy with a hint of tragedy and filled with characters you hate and love.
I'll be digging out more by the author.
Well written with that lovely Nancy Mitford style of writing comedy with a hint of tragedy and filled with characters you hate and love.
I'll be digging out more by the author.
December 2, 2021
"House of Trelawney" was advertised as similar to the TV show, "Downton Abbey." I don't see the comparison, personally, which disappoints me so much!
Instead of "Downtown...," we have a literally decaying mansion, owned for 800+ years by the same aristocratic family. The house - and the family - are far past their prime, the fortunes that built the house dissipated by a succession of feckless, spendthrift heirs. The aging, nearly-demented Earl and Countess live in their one cold room, not realizing that there are NO household servants left, and that Jane, the wife of the current heir, Kitto, does all the work around the house. There is no money to refill the oil tanks, much less repair the crumbling manor. Kitto has invested what is left of the family's money in a hedge fund operation. His estranged sister, Blaze, kicked off the estate as was customary, has had nothing to do w/ her family for the previous 20 years, instead building a life in London as a financial expert. Except she has NO life; she only has work. Then there are Kitto and Jane's kids: Ambrose is about to turn 18, bombs in school, and goes to work for a smarmy hedge fund guy, who only hires the kid b/c he holds a grudge against Blaze, Jane, and their best bud Anastasia, who ran off to India and married a maharaja, under mysterious circumstances. Toby and Arabella go to public school and grumble about their mother's cooking.
Then along comes the 2008 worldwide financial collapse. The lives of ALL the Trelawneys change for the worse, as of course, Kitto loses everything in the collapse. Of course, the smarmy guy comes out on top, dealing a fatal blow to the Trelawney clan in more ways than one. And at the same time, an illegitimate child shows up...
My overall feeling toward this story is disgust and loathing. Instead of the incomparable Countess of "Downton," we have the dotty Countess of Trelawney who doesn't realize that she is a total joke to the television cameras, inspiring both pity and scorn. Years of privilege have left Kitto unable to deal w/ adversity and poor Jane and Blaze to mop up the pieces of the family tragedy.
After reading this one, I'm going to absolutely STOP believing the hype about books on reading websites, I swear.
Instead of "Downtown...," we have a literally decaying mansion, owned for 800+ years by the same aristocratic family. The house - and the family - are far past their prime, the fortunes that built the house dissipated by a succession of feckless, spendthrift heirs. The aging, nearly-demented Earl and Countess live in their one cold room, not realizing that there are NO household servants left, and that Jane, the wife of the current heir, Kitto, does all the work around the house. There is no money to refill the oil tanks, much less repair the crumbling manor. Kitto has invested what is left of the family's money in a hedge fund operation. His estranged sister, Blaze, kicked off the estate as was customary, has had nothing to do w/ her family for the previous 20 years, instead building a life in London as a financial expert. Except she has NO life; she only has work. Then there are Kitto and Jane's kids: Ambrose is about to turn 18, bombs in school, and goes to work for a smarmy hedge fund guy, who only hires the kid b/c he holds a grudge against Blaze, Jane, and their best bud Anastasia, who ran off to India and married a maharaja, under mysterious circumstances. Toby and Arabella go to public school and grumble about their mother's cooking.
Then along comes the 2008 worldwide financial collapse. The lives of ALL the Trelawneys change for the worse, as of course, Kitto loses everything in the collapse. Of course, the smarmy guy comes out on top, dealing a fatal blow to the Trelawney clan in more ways than one. And at the same time, an illegitimate child shows up...
My overall feeling toward this story is disgust and loathing. Instead of the incomparable Countess of "Downton," we have the dotty Countess of Trelawney who doesn't realize that she is a total joke to the television cameras, inspiring both pity and scorn. Years of privilege have left Kitto unable to deal w/ adversity and poor Jane and Blaze to mop up the pieces of the family tragedy.
After reading this one, I'm going to absolutely STOP believing the hype about books on reading websites, I swear.
February 7, 2020
I loved Hannah Rothschild's The Improbability of Love. It was a five star read and naturally I was very excited about her latest novel about an eccentric rich family on the decline. However I was quite disappointed. The plot was too slow that it took ages to unfold, the characters felt two dimensional at several places and there wasn't enough humour to keep me occupied.
Set in the modern times, we follow a dysfunctional family on the decline. The decline of the aristocracy is richly detailed and written well but the reader keeps expecting more. The novel focusses on the women characters—one who marries a maharajah, a daughter in search of her father and plans to marry for money, a wife who keeps the crumbling house and family bonds together, career women, scientists—but perhaps the execution makes them less interesting than what they could've been. This isn't a bad book. Pick it up if you love Rothschild's writing or you have plenty of time to spare. Else better give this a miss.
Rating : 2.5
Much thanks to Bloomsbury for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
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Set in the modern times, we follow a dysfunctional family on the decline. The decline of the aristocracy is richly detailed and written well but the reader keeps expecting more. The novel focusses on the women characters—one who marries a maharajah, a daughter in search of her father and plans to marry for money, a wife who keeps the crumbling house and family bonds together, career women, scientists—but perhaps the execution makes them less interesting than what they could've been. This isn't a bad book. Pick it up if you love Rothschild's writing or you have plenty of time to spare. Else better give this a miss.
Rating : 2.5
Much thanks to Bloomsbury for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
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April 6, 2020
This novel was pure gold class entertainment. Hannah Rothschild takes us into the world of a modern impoverished aristocratic family who are very much living their worst nightmare: there is no money. None. Every parcel of land that could be sold, has been sold. Anything of value inside has also been sold. The rest is crumbling to ruin around them as they live out their days in a castle too large and expensive to run, much less fix and maintain, slowly being reclaimed by nature as the ivy and rodents move in and take hold.
Dripping with satire and speckled with moments of outrage and eccentricity, House of Trelawney examines the ever-changing face of British society. This is an intelligent work of fiction, diving deep into the financial crisis of 2008 and its far-reaching effects for all: the aristocracy through to the working class.
As the family navigate these changing waters, their circumstances are brought to a head by several factors and a few key people intent on quite literally bringing down the house. I am a fan of British humour so for me, this entire novel was pitch perfect. It’s boldly honest, laugh out loud funny, intricately plotted, and peopled with a wholly unique and entertaining cast. Hannah Rothschild is a great writer, achieving a precise and clever balance between scorn and empathy. I really enjoyed House of Trelawney and can highly recommend it.
Thanks is extended to Bloomsbury Publishing for providing me with a copy of House of Trelawney for review.
Dripping with satire and speckled with moments of outrage and eccentricity, House of Trelawney examines the ever-changing face of British society. This is an intelligent work of fiction, diving deep into the financial crisis of 2008 and its far-reaching effects for all: the aristocracy through to the working class.
As the family navigate these changing waters, their circumstances are brought to a head by several factors and a few key people intent on quite literally bringing down the house. I am a fan of British humour so for me, this entire novel was pitch perfect. It’s boldly honest, laugh out loud funny, intricately plotted, and peopled with a wholly unique and entertaining cast. Hannah Rothschild is a great writer, achieving a precise and clever balance between scorn and empathy. I really enjoyed House of Trelawney and can highly recommend it.
Thanks is extended to Bloomsbury Publishing for providing me with a copy of House of Trelawney for review.
October 10, 2019
I was very pleasantly surprised by this book, I do love a dysfunctional and eccentric family!
The characters were all caricatures - they made me laugh, the dialogues were smartly constructed with a hint of sarcasm. There were a couple of stereotypes but that didn’t bother me at all.
It is a slow burner, I wasn’t sure at the start but I started to grow closer and closer to the characters and wanted to know more. It’s a lighthearted and fun read, a real little treat.
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for forwarding me a copy in exchange of an honest review.
The characters were all caricatures - they made me laugh, the dialogues were smartly constructed with a hint of sarcasm. There were a couple of stereotypes but that didn’t bother me at all.
It is a slow burner, I wasn’t sure at the start but I started to grow closer and closer to the characters and wanted to know more. It’s a lighthearted and fun read, a real little treat.
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for forwarding me a copy in exchange of an honest review.
dnf-lost-interest
May 26, 2021Dnf at 58%.
I enjoyed this book for the most part but it became tiring after a certain point. The story did not go ahead as such and I felt like there’s no point to the plot. It’s just silly. The characters were written very well and I enjoyed reading about their eccentricities but the incidents around them bored me. I gave my 100% trying to finish reading this book, but couldn’t carry on.
Have to give up so late in the book as the story is quite dull. I was hoping for it to improve later on or SOMETHING to happen, but alas.
I enjoyed this book for the most part but it became tiring after a certain point. The story did not go ahead as such and I felt like there’s no point to the plot. It’s just silly. The characters were written very well and I enjoyed reading about their eccentricities but the incidents around them bored me. I gave my 100% trying to finish reading this book, but couldn’t carry on.
Have to give up so late in the book as the story is quite dull. I was hoping for it to improve later on or SOMETHING to happen, but alas.
April 13, 2020
I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It's more of a dramatic saga and satirical than my usual reading fare. I was enchanted by Trelawney and it's inhabitants and quickly found myself reading the last page. I couldn't put the book down! I sincerely hope Hannah Rothschild writes more. There's so much more material about the Trelawney family and the people in their lives to learn more about!
June 24, 2022
Anotacija žadėjo į mano mylimą serialą „Succession“ panašią istoriją apie turtuolių šeimą, kurių prabangus gyvenimas byra į šipulius, tik čia viskas vyksta ne Amerikoj, o Jungtinėj Karalystėj. Buvo žadėta daug humoro ir satyros, daug gilių veikėjų portretų ir turtingos istorijos. Ir nors Trelawney šeima pasirodė kaip viso to turinti, autorė, rodos, pati pasiklydo bandydama papasakoti per daug.
Labai keistas pasirinkimas šalia šeimos dramos giliai nerti ir į kitas itin specifines temas – romane labai (ir turiu omeny LABAI) daug ir detaliai kalbama apie akcijų biržas ir darbą finansų sektoriuje, iki tokio lygio, kad galiausiai ėmiau tas vienas skenuoti žvilgsniu, nes nebuvo labai daug skirtumo, perskaitysiu jas ar ne – vis vien nelabai ką suprasiu. Daug kartojimosi, to paties pasakymo kitokiais žodžiais, labai panašių bandymų parodyti, kaip šeimos tradicijos nyksta ir kaip jiems visiems nesiseka palaikyti žymaus giminės vardo. Daug veikėjų, kurie visi atrodė unikalūs ir įdomūs, bet didžioji dalis jų kūrinyje tik sušmėžuoja (nors jiems čia buvo vietos pasireikšti ir daugiau), o kiti nelabai turi kokį virsmą ir vis kartoja tas pačias klaidas. Net meilės istorijos galiausiai pasirodė sukurptos pagal gerai žinomas formules ir daug džiaugsmo nekėlė.
Stiprioji knygos pusė tikrai yra jos ironija, kurios mano skoniui čia galėjo būti ir daugiau, bet džiaugiausi kiekvienu trupinėliu. Patiko ir Trelawney pasaulio sukūrimas, kinematografiški aprašymai ir dažnai išlendantis tokio aristokratiško gyvenimo absurdas. Patiko praeities paslaptys, su kuriomis čia puikiai sužaista. Tik pačios šeimos tarpusavio dinamikos, o ne atskirų veikėjų istorijų čia tikrai trūko. Kaip ir dažnai pastaruoju metu nutinka, jaučiuosi užsikėlusi kiek per aukštus lūkesčius, ir nors skaitydama nesikankinau, visgi atrodo, kad anotacija žadėjo daugiau nei pati knyga sugebėjo suteikti.
Labai keistas pasirinkimas šalia šeimos dramos giliai nerti ir į kitas itin specifines temas – romane labai (ir turiu omeny LABAI) daug ir detaliai kalbama apie akcijų biržas ir darbą finansų sektoriuje, iki tokio lygio, kad galiausiai ėmiau tas vienas skenuoti žvilgsniu, nes nebuvo labai daug skirtumo, perskaitysiu jas ar ne – vis vien nelabai ką suprasiu. Daug kartojimosi, to paties pasakymo kitokiais žodžiais, labai panašių bandymų parodyti, kaip šeimos tradicijos nyksta ir kaip jiems visiems nesiseka palaikyti žymaus giminės vardo. Daug veikėjų, kurie visi atrodė unikalūs ir įdomūs, bet didžioji dalis jų kūrinyje tik sušmėžuoja (nors jiems čia buvo vietos pasireikšti ir daugiau), o kiti nelabai turi kokį virsmą ir vis kartoja tas pačias klaidas. Net meilės istorijos galiausiai pasirodė sukurptos pagal gerai žinomas formules ir daug džiaugsmo nekėlė.
Stiprioji knygos pusė tikrai yra jos ironija, kurios mano skoniui čia galėjo būti ir daugiau, bet džiaugiausi kiekvienu trupinėliu. Patiko ir Trelawney pasaulio sukūrimas, kinematografiški aprašymai ir dažnai išlendantis tokio aristokratiško gyvenimo absurdas. Patiko praeities paslaptys, su kuriomis čia puikiai sužaista. Tik pačios šeimos tarpusavio dinamikos, o ne atskirų veikėjų istorijų čia tikrai trūko. Kaip ir dažnai pastaruoju metu nutinka, jaučiuosi užsikėlusi kiek per aukštus lūkesčius, ir nors skaitydama nesikankinau, visgi atrodo, kad anotacija žadėjo daugiau nei pati knyga sugebėjo suteikti.
July 15, 2021
Honestly I think 3 stars is a bit generous for what I actually thought of the book, but I have a lot of respect for Hannah Rothschild as a writer and there were times when I was engaged so I also think 2 stars would be too low.
Look, I loved The Improbability of Love but this book fell flat for me. I love reading about weird posh people and long buried family secrets and all that but unfortunately, for me the central mystery here ran out of steam before the 2/3 point and a lot of the characters were thinly sketched.
The central love story was of the Disney ilk where two people are driven by their 'passion' for each other despite having about 6 conversations in total across the whole book and 3 years and love each other because they just do because they are meant to be together rather than having any growth as a couple or even knowing each other properly. If it was a satire on that on exactly that kind of idealised but unrealistic romance it would be fair enough, but I really didn't get that.
Also, most of the characters were horrible people or at least unsympathetic people and it seemed like the worse the person was the less they paid for it. Now don't get me wrong, Succession is basically my favourite TV show so I don't need an ensemble of loveable characters to be absorbed and I even love Tolstoy and the tragic fates his characters face but I just can't get on board with a book that's meant to be fun and frothy and 'pure joy' and then no one gets what they deserve. I liked to see a nice satisfying ending for everyone. Not what would happen in real life. I love Edith Wharton but she has a different vibe to this kind of stuff.
With Rothschild's first book it held me utterly spellbound on the first read because the plot was amazing and I couldn't wait to find out what happened. On second read it held up less well because I picked up on the weak spots in the writing. I fear with this book I got bored and knew what was going to happen and was not happy with what was going to happen before I was three quarters of the way through.
Having said that, some characters - like Arabella and Tuffy the flea enthusiasts and Clarissa the grotesque caricature of a Dowager Duchess were interesting and it was easy to whip through the book. It's not like the time I read Women in Love and wanted to set it on fire afterwards.
I think most people would like this fine and I would still be willing to give Rothschild's next book a go.
Look, I loved The Improbability of Love but this book fell flat for me. I love reading about weird posh people and long buried family secrets and all that but unfortunately, for me the central mystery here ran out of steam before the 2/3 point and a lot of the characters were thinly sketched.
The central love story was of the Disney ilk where two people are driven by their 'passion' for each other despite having about 6 conversations in total across the whole book and 3 years and love each other because they just do because they are meant to be together rather than having any growth as a couple or even knowing each other properly. If it was a satire on that on exactly that kind of idealised but unrealistic romance it would be fair enough, but I really didn't get that.
Also, most of the characters were horrible people or at least unsympathetic people and it seemed like the worse the person was the less they paid for it. Now don't get me wrong, Succession is basically my favourite TV show so I don't need an ensemble of loveable characters to be absorbed and I even love Tolstoy and the tragic fates his characters face but I just can't get on board with a book that's meant to be fun and frothy and 'pure joy' and then no one gets what they deserve. I liked to see a nice satisfying ending for everyone. Not what would happen in real life. I love Edith Wharton but she has a different vibe to this kind of stuff.
With Rothschild's first book it held me utterly spellbound on the first read because the plot was amazing and I couldn't wait to find out what happened. On second read it held up less well because I picked up on the weak spots in the writing. I fear with this book I got bored and knew what was going to happen and was not happy with what was going to happen before I was three quarters of the way through.
Having said that, some characters - like Arabella and Tuffy the flea enthusiasts and Clarissa the grotesque caricature of a Dowager Duchess were interesting and it was easy to whip through the book. It's not like the time I read Women in Love and wanted to set it on fire afterwards.
I think most people would like this fine and I would still be willing to give Rothschild's next book a go.
May 13, 2020
What a riveting story. I was completely absorbed and read it in 2-3 sittings. Hannah Rothschild has opened a wonderful window into the completely dysfunctional life of the old, venerable Trelawney family.
The family home is in ruins. The money is gone. Hints at a family scandal that just won't stay buried as the instigator of it as a dying wish sends her daughter to live with the Trelawneys. The crash of 2008 looms and classism amongst the people is still alive and well. It's a recipe for a well rounded story, though, a bit too outrageous at times to be believable. Yet it makes for a good story.
I think one of the main reasons I so enjoyed this novel is that all the characters are so incredibly flawed, except, for the two youngest children. Despite these flaws, each character has either some sympathetic or redemptive quality that saves them from dislikability. Except Sleet. He's awful and beyond saving. However, after reading Nancy Mitford's Noblesse Oblige, Sleet's efforts at joining the aristocracy will always fall short. He will always firmly remain non-U. He bristles at his failures in not grasping what it means to have class. It is something his money, art collection, property accumulations, grand house buying, cannot achieve.
My only complaint: it ended far too quickly. I would have liked to follow along a bit longer on the family's story.
The family home is in ruins. The money is gone. Hints at a family scandal that just won't stay buried as the instigator of it as a dying wish sends her daughter to live with the Trelawneys. The crash of 2008 looms and classism amongst the people is still alive and well. It's a recipe for a well rounded story, though, a bit too outrageous at times to be believable. Yet it makes for a good story.
I think one of the main reasons I so enjoyed this novel is that all the characters are so incredibly flawed, except, for the two youngest children. Despite these flaws, each character has either some sympathetic or redemptive quality that saves them from dislikability. Except Sleet. He's awful and beyond saving. However, after reading Nancy Mitford's Noblesse Oblige, Sleet's efforts at joining the aristocracy will always fall short. He will always firmly remain non-U. He bristles at his failures in not grasping what it means to have class. It is something his money, art collection, property accumulations, grand house buying, cannot achieve.
My only complaint: it ended far too quickly. I would have liked to follow along a bit longer on the family's story.
February 22, 2020
This has everything I look for in a great story. Character development, setting (Cornwall and London), multiple generations, and a giant crumbling castle. So much fun to read and well-written also. Fantastic dialogue.
July 12, 2023
DNF’d after 72 pages - so very very boring IMP. Unlikeable and unwilling to change characters whose every day loves held no interest for me
The “incident” in 1988 was explained quickly and was not very dramatic IMP.
Maybe after my book club discusses this one I’ll feel a need to come back and finish, but at this point in time it is highly unlikely.
Snooze 😴
The “incident” in 1988 was explained quickly and was not very dramatic IMP.
Maybe after my book club discusses this one I’ll feel a need to come back and finish, but at this point in time it is highly unlikely.
Snooze 😴
December 7, 2021
Non era sorprendente che la famiglia considerasse la casa un essere senziente: ai suoi occhi, Trelawney Castle era molto più che mattoni e cemento.
Un romanzo corale/familiare che mi ha deliziato per alcune sere.
I Trewlawney sono stati per ottocento anni una delle famiglie nobili più importanti della Cornovaglia, amici dei reali, sempre al centro delle cronache mondane, e il castello era il loro simbolo, immenso, labirintico, pregno di storia e tradizione.
Ma nel 2008, alla vigilia della crisi finanziaria dei mutui subprime, il castello è diventato un peso da mantenere, invendibile, gravato da ipoteche.
I vecchi conti vivono un'esistenza tutta loro, fingendo che tutto si ancora come prima. L'erede, Kitto, è un uomo di mezza età, convinto che il suo titolo possa ancora spalancargli le porte del successo, mentre la moglie Jane si è rassegnata a fare tutto, dalla cameriera alla madre alla giardiniera, ma è sull'orlo del crollo nervoso. I tre figli sono ancora divisi tra il considerarsi l'ultima generazione di una dinastia secolare e il vivere come persone normali, addirittura povere e senza un futuro certo,
E poi ci sono una zia eccentrica, naturalista, che vive come un'eremita nelle foreste intorno al castello e la sorella di Kitto, Blaze, l'unica che, diseredata, è stata costretta a trovarsi un vero lavoro come analista finanziaria. Sì, perché la legge di famiglia è implacabile: solo l'erede può tenere titolo e castello, gli altri figli debbono andarsene.
Quasi fanno tenerezza, questi nobili decaduti: snob fino all'ultimo, aggrappati a vestigia del passato a cui non riescono a rinunciare, incapaci di cercare alternative che non contemplino le mura dietro cui si nascondono. Forse dovrebbero decidere se il castello non sia la vera e unica palla al piede che impedisce loro di sperare in un destino diverso...
A tratti cinico, a tratti frizzante: in quasi cinquecento pagine si disegna l'affresco spietato di una famiglia in decadenza e logorata da troppi pesi e pretese, per cui, però, non tutto è perduto.
Un romanzo corale/familiare che mi ha deliziato per alcune sere.
I Trewlawney sono stati per ottocento anni una delle famiglie nobili più importanti della Cornovaglia, amici dei reali, sempre al centro delle cronache mondane, e il castello era il loro simbolo, immenso, labirintico, pregno di storia e tradizione.
Ma nel 2008, alla vigilia della crisi finanziaria dei mutui subprime, il castello è diventato un peso da mantenere, invendibile, gravato da ipoteche.
I vecchi conti vivono un'esistenza tutta loro, fingendo che tutto si ancora come prima. L'erede, Kitto, è un uomo di mezza età, convinto che il suo titolo possa ancora spalancargli le porte del successo, mentre la moglie Jane si è rassegnata a fare tutto, dalla cameriera alla madre alla giardiniera, ma è sull'orlo del crollo nervoso. I tre figli sono ancora divisi tra il considerarsi l'ultima generazione di una dinastia secolare e il vivere come persone normali, addirittura povere e senza un futuro certo,
E poi ci sono una zia eccentrica, naturalista, che vive come un'eremita nelle foreste intorno al castello e la sorella di Kitto, Blaze, l'unica che, diseredata, è stata costretta a trovarsi un vero lavoro come analista finanziaria. Sì, perché la legge di famiglia è implacabile: solo l'erede può tenere titolo e castello, gli altri figli debbono andarsene.
Quasi fanno tenerezza, questi nobili decaduti: snob fino all'ultimo, aggrappati a vestigia del passato a cui non riescono a rinunciare, incapaci di cercare alternative che non contemplino le mura dietro cui si nascondono. Forse dovrebbero decidere se il castello non sia la vera e unica palla al piede che impedisce loro di sperare in un destino diverso...
A tratti cinico, a tratti frizzante: in quasi cinquecento pagine si disegna l'affresco spietato di una famiglia in decadenza e logorata da troppi pesi e pretese, per cui, però, non tutto è perduto.
November 11, 2019
I loved The Improbability of Love so much, that when I saw there are another book by the same author, I jumped at the chance to review it.
Trelawney castle is old, beautiful and crumbling away. The family all love living there, but there is a tradition that once the current earl comes of age, his siblings are banished from the castle with a symbolic gift. These siblings have to make their own way in the world. The current Earl fancies himself an investment banker and keeps putting first his money and then his wife's money into bad investments. His sister, Blaze, on the other hand, is a brilliant investment banker and foretells the coming of the sub prime mortgage crash.
What makes the book are the characters, they are all quite extreme in their own ways and you are so invested in them that you follow the twists and turns of the story just to see that they come out okay. There's quite a lot of head hopping going on - normally, I hate this, but in this case, I was never confused as to which person's head I was in. Besides, I was so invested in these people that I'd probably have put up with it even if it was done badly (which it wasn't - this psychic distance done well). The house itself is character in the book.
I genuinely enjoyed this book and raced through it. Wonderfully wry and compelling.
I got a review copy of this book via Netgalley.
Trelawney castle is old, beautiful and crumbling away. The family all love living there, but there is a tradition that once the current earl comes of age, his siblings are banished from the castle with a symbolic gift. These siblings have to make their own way in the world. The current Earl fancies himself an investment banker and keeps putting first his money and then his wife's money into bad investments. His sister, Blaze, on the other hand, is a brilliant investment banker and foretells the coming of the sub prime mortgage crash.
What makes the book are the characters, they are all quite extreme in their own ways and you are so invested in them that you follow the twists and turns of the story just to see that they come out okay. There's quite a lot of head hopping going on - normally, I hate this, but in this case, I was never confused as to which person's head I was in. Besides, I was so invested in these people that I'd probably have put up with it even if it was done badly (which it wasn't - this psychic distance done well). The house itself is character in the book.
I genuinely enjoyed this book and raced through it. Wonderfully wry and compelling.
I got a review copy of this book via Netgalley.
June 27, 2020
Really 3.5 stars. Really enjoyed the first 3/4 (and uncle Tony and aunt Duffy!!) but the whole thing tanked at the end.
February 5, 2020
**3.5stars**
The story of a family who have lived in Trelawney Castle for over 800 years and one steeped in tradition. Over time the family heritage has been eroded and sold off, now the current Lord and his family live in a castle falling down around them. And the situation is not helped by the current custodian Kitto and his failed investments.
I actually found this book took quite a bit of time to set the characters up but once it was done the story rollicked along and wondered at times wether I felt it had an air of black humour. It highlights the noose that can be felt by family members who fall in the line of inheritance, regardless if they are the best for the job or not.
An enjoyable foray into a world that is vanishing
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.
The story of a family who have lived in Trelawney Castle for over 800 years and one steeped in tradition. Over time the family heritage has been eroded and sold off, now the current Lord and his family live in a castle falling down around them. And the situation is not helped by the current custodian Kitto and his failed investments.
I actually found this book took quite a bit of time to set the characters up but once it was done the story rollicked along and wondered at times wether I felt it had an air of black humour. It highlights the noose that can be felt by family members who fall in the line of inheritance, regardless if they are the best for the job or not.
An enjoyable foray into a world that is vanishing
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy to read.
August 18, 2020
Love, love, loved this book! Fascinating family. Well written and unique.
September 16, 2021
2 e mezzo
Per qualche oscura ragione, mi trovo ad essere grata per il superamento del blocco del lettore ad un romanzo che, in tempi normali, sarebbe volato dalla finestra, non prima di una lettera all'editore (Neri Pozza, avete letto bene) piena di giaculatorie, brutta traduzione inclusa.
Ma siccome questo è un diario di lettura, sincerità Uber alles e bla bla bla di ordinanza, eccovi la contrizione pubblica, che ha le forme di poco più di un Harmony, ambientato in una enorme tenuta della Cornovaglia, il Trelawney Castle, che una sola generazione di Trelawney è riuscita a mandare in rovina. La storia segue dunque le peripezie di questa famiglia, a cavallo della crisi finanziaria del 2008, in un minestrone a cui non manca nessuno dei cliché più triti di certa letteratura: ne esce fuori un brodino, alla fine, complice anche una traduzione del tutto fuori banda, a cominciare dal titolo: house of Trelawney ha uno spessore ben diverso di Casa Trelawney- che a me evoca una Franca Valeri in grembiulino bianco che risponde al telefono del borghese fresco di diploma e di fabbrichetta. Ma tant'è: consapevole di tutto questo, non solo sono arrivata in fondo (evviva!), ma ho anche lasciato perdere tutto quello che stavo facendo, per inseguire vicende inverosimili e noiose, fino al finale più prevedibile e più scontato di tutti.
Come dire, in condizioni normali lasciate perdere.
Ma se avete il blocco del lettore, giuro che funziona :)
Per qualche oscura ragione, mi trovo ad essere grata per il superamento del blocco del lettore ad un romanzo che, in tempi normali, sarebbe volato dalla finestra, non prima di una lettera all'editore (Neri Pozza, avete letto bene) piena di giaculatorie, brutta traduzione inclusa.
Ma siccome questo è un diario di lettura, sincerità Uber alles e bla bla bla di ordinanza, eccovi la contrizione pubblica, che ha le forme di poco più di un Harmony, ambientato in una enorme tenuta della Cornovaglia, il Trelawney Castle, che una sola generazione di Trelawney è riuscita a mandare in rovina. La storia segue dunque le peripezie di questa famiglia, a cavallo della crisi finanziaria del 2008, in un minestrone a cui non manca nessuno dei cliché più triti di certa letteratura: ne esce fuori un brodino, alla fine, complice anche una traduzione del tutto fuori banda, a cominciare dal titolo: house of Trelawney ha uno spessore ben diverso di Casa Trelawney- che a me evoca una Franca Valeri in grembiulino bianco che risponde al telefono del borghese fresco di diploma e di fabbrichetta. Ma tant'è: consapevole di tutto questo, non solo sono arrivata in fondo (evviva!), ma ho anche lasciato perdere tutto quello che stavo facendo, per inseguire vicende inverosimili e noiose, fino al finale più prevedibile e più scontato di tutti.
Come dire, in condizioni normali lasciate perdere.
Ma se avete il blocco del lettore, giuro che funziona :)
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