Soames Forsyte is his father's son to a fault -- he is insensitive to the changes that are occurring in society. Irene feels forced to marry him by her step-mother, but pays dearly for agreeing to a marriage without love (and he marries her knowing that she doesn't love him). Whether she deserves the adoration of generations of men more than others in the Forsytes' sphere is irrelevant. There are men and women whose combination of heart, mind and beauty draw particular ardor, and the rest of us must resign to that as June does. Both old and young Jolyon Forsytes are examples of wonderful men. The older has the courage and integrity to realize that relationships with his son and grandchildren are more important than being flawless in the eyes of the family's social peers. The younger one not only stands up for passion, but for the wronged at the hands of power. this series brought me many hours of happiness.
Review of The Forsyte Saga
