3.5 stars

Three families are connected through life, love, lies, scandal, and death. At its core, this novel is a sociological exploration of classicism, culture, philosophy and the changing society at the beginning of 20th century England. Additionally, the themes of male hypocrisy and female rage are addressed. The prose was wonderful. The romance at the center of the novel felt dull.

Society is based on the family, and the clever wastrel can exploit this indefinitely.