Synopses & Reviews
Covering almost 30 years in the life and loves of Mark Lennan, The Dark Flower opens in 1880 with 18-year-old undergraduate Mark studying art at Oxford, and ends 30 years later with Mark ostensibly happily married, yet torn between his wife and a beautiful teenage girl—the last and most disturbing manifestation of the "dark flower" of passion. Within a dozen pages, Galsworthy establishes his mastery of compelling narrative and sketches an irresistible plot. Much of his achievement lies in the mixture of pathos and humor that he derives from characters little able to express their feelings. There is much else to admire, from Galsworthy’s impressionistic descriptions and eye for detail to the subtle symmetry he creates between his characters, emphasizing the cyclical nature of the story. Published in 1913, the story also holds the fascination of a world about to be transformed by war—one in which a love letter could still be delivered by the hand of a discreet manservant, and the residents of Piccadilly kept their horses stabled close by so that they could gallop down to Richmond for fresh air.
Synopsis
A facsimile reprint of Galsworthy's 1913 novel.
Synopsis
Within a dozen pages, Galsworthy establishes his mastery of compelling narrative and sketches an irresistible plot. It is the kind of book one can devour in a single day. Much of Galsworthy s achievement lies in the mixture of pathos and humour which he derives from characters little able to express their feelings. It is hard to think of another male British novelist who explores a lover s heart so painstakingly. There is much else to admire in The Dark Flower, from Galsworthy s impressionistic descriptions and eye for detail to the subtle symmetry he creates between his characters, emphasising the cyclical nature of the story. Published in 1913, it also holds the fascination of a world about to be transformed by war: one in which billets doux could still be delivered by the hand of a discreet manservant, and the residents of Piccadilly kept their horses stabled close by so that they could gallop down to Richmond for fresh air.
About the Author
John Galsworthy (1867–1933) was one of the most widely read novelists of his day, best remembered for his The Forsyte Saga series, for which he won the 1932 Nobel Prize for Literature. Anthony Gardner is editor of the Royal Society of Literature's Annual Review.