With the final book I’ve read for our #1940Club, I’m very happy that I’ve managed to succeed with a plan which has been lurking in the back of my mind for quite some time! If you read my January post, you’ll have seen me pondering on 2023 reading and one idea I had was that I would like to finally embark on C.P. Snow’s “Strangers and Brothers” sequence, which I’ve had sitting on the TBR for years. I mentioned that the first book was published in 1940, so this would fit in with our April reading club; and I’m happy to report that I have indeed started on my Snow journey! 😀
“Strangers and Brothers” (now generally known as “George Passant” after the central protagonist) was the first of the series which was published, and although there is a reading order which follows the chronology of the storyline, I’m always someone who prefers to read in publication order. The books are sometimes known as the Lewis Eliot books, as he’s the narrator of many of the stories, and that’s the case here.
Set in as unnamed town the Midlands between 1925-1933, S&B relates the story and fate of George Passant, managing clerk at the solicitors’ firm of Eden and Martineau. George is something of a leader, gathering around him a group of young disciples, looking for identity and trying to discover a new way of life. Our narrator Eliot is one of those, and as the story begins another acolyte, Jack Cotery, approaches George for help. Jack is employed as a clerk in the local newspaper office, and the son of the owner, 15 year old Roy Calvert, has developed a passion for Jack, presenting him with an engraved silver cigarette case. This simple act will set off a chain of events, which will involve Jack’s effective dismissal, George’s intervention to help him, and the involvement of both Jack and George in situations which may well permanently affect their future.
George is a fascinating character study; a man with idealism and a commitment to the idea of personal freedom. So while he works at the solicitors, he also lectures at the local Technical College and School of Art (known as the School), as well as gathering his ‘Group’ around him and helping them where he can to find the right path. Amongst these are Olive Calvert, Arthur Morcom and Rachel; other characters are the Eden and Martineau of the firm, who will play significant parts in the narrative, as well as solicitor Martineau’s brother, Canon Martineau, who holds an influential position.
The Group meet regularly at a place called the Farm, hired by George so that they can meet, hang out and discuss the meaning of life in peace. Both male and female gather there, and initially the meeting are intellectual; any physical needs George and his male friends have are dealt with by a short jaunt to Nottingham where they can rendezvous with some ladies of the night. However, things will not stay like this; George’s attempts to intervene on behalf of Jack meet with resistance from the establishment; Martineau the solicitor takes off to become a weird sort of religious missionary; George encourages Jack into business agreements which don’t go so well and aren’t quite above board; and the visitors to the Farm often move from the intellectual to the physical. Local society is less than happy, and when there are suspicions about the business transactions, things gradually begin to unravel…
I shan’t say more about the plot, but I will say that “Strangers and Brothers” was a quite brilliant read from start to finish; I couldn’t put it down. The book is wonderfully evocative of time and place, and Snow’s writing is somehow much better than I expected (I had a false memory of having tried the book once and struggled, but I think that was the first Anthony Powell). He pins down life in a provincial town, the conventions and proprieties, and the need of the post-WW1 generation to break out and create a newer life with more freedoms. However, early on, both reader and narrator can see that George’s position is potentially precarious; this is the 1920s and his unconventional behaviour is not always acceptable in a small town. Inevitably, too, there are class issues; George and his group are all from middle-lower class origins, and although the aftermath of WW1 might have blurred the lines between classes in large cities like London, the old structures still exist in the provinces.
What should we have been? We were poor and young. By birth we fell into the ragtag and bobtail of the lower middle classes. Then we fell into our jobs in offices and shops. We lived in our bed-sitting rooms, as I did since my mother’s death, or with our families, lost among the fifty thousand houses in the town. The world seemed on the march, we wanted to join in, but we felt caught.
“Strangers and Brothers” is also a novel of ideas; the Group are happy to discuss moral and ethical issues, and the divide between generations is definitely on display here. Ironically, it’s morals as much as anything else which will lead to the climactic sections of the book; when hints of sexual freedom leak out, George and his group will be judged on this as much as any business misconduct. In the end, George is revealed as unrealistic and naive, and with the passing years and the replacing of his original friends in the Group with younger people, he seems to have lost his grasp on things.
As you might gather, I found this to be a throughly absorbing and transporting read! I can understand why it was later retitled, as the focus is firmly on George Passant; much to do with the other characters is hinted at and off-camera, and I suspect more about Lewis Eliot himself will be revealed in the next book. If I had one criticism to make it’s that Snow does have a habit of just chucking his characters into the narrative without any real introduction, which can be a little disconcerting, but it does usualy work itself out in the end! And I confess that, although the Midland town is not named, I couldn’t help viewing it as Leicester, where Snow was born – the quick hops to Nottingham cemented that view in my mind, as my Offspring are prone to pop over there to take advantage of the Gaming Arcades!!
I had a bit of a browse online after finishing this first book, and was surprised to see that there seems to be very little discussion of the book around, and I couldn’t help wondering why. I did see inevitable comparison with Powell’s “Dance to the Music of Time” sequence which I read some years back; but although they might be considered to cover similar territory, I think they’re quite unalike. There’s the obvious class difference, for a start – Powell’s characters are very upper class, particularly in the early part of the sequence, as was the author himself; whereas Snow’s focus on those who are struggling to make a living was much more interesting for me. And there’s style of writing; Powell, it has to be acknowledged, can be quite difficult to read and although I appreciated his work, I found I loved Snow’s writing more. It’s less complex, yes, but there are some beautiful and evocative passages which really brough alive the characters and the places and simply the experience of being alive. Of course, I’m only one book in, but I’m already very invested in them and am looking forward to continuing with the series!
So my final book for the #1940Club was a real success, and I’m so glad that our club year nudged me into finally starting with the Snow sequence! It’s been a great week, and I’ve loved all the books I’ve read; but “Strangers and Brothers” really was the icing on the cake! I’d love to hear if anyone else has read this and what your thoughts on it are! 😀
MarinaSofia
Apr 16, 2023 @ 07:31:11
I habe read some C.P. Snow quite a while ago and seem to remember he was good at portraying academic squabbles, local and national politics, the role of experts. I think he’s unfashionable because readers (and viewers) seem to be more fascinated by Downton Abbey and the upper classes.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 16, 2023 @ 13:30:53
Yes, I’m quite keen to get to the ones set in academia as these are the ones I most often hear mentioned. And that’s a good point about the class thing – and sad, if true, because I think on the basis of this book, the series will be very good at catching changing times across the classes.
elkiedee
Apr 16, 2023 @ 12:02:53
I don’t think I’ve read this but have wanted to since my teens. My grandfather had the whole series in hardback but I don’t think it was kept unless Brigid held on to it. It was also a drama serial on TV, probably early 80s. And it has been on Radio 4 Extra as well, though it might not be at the moment.
He was married to Pamela Hansford Johnson, whose work seems to have been brought back into availability by reprint publishers, I think mostly but not completely Bello (Macmillan).
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 16, 2023 @ 13:27:42
I’d say it’s definitely worth tracking down if you can, because I found the first book fascinating and I’m now very keen to follow the series onward. I do have one of Pamela Hansford Johnson’s books too, in an old edition – another writer I need to get to!!
Margot Kinberg
Apr 16, 2023 @ 12:12:28
What a fascinating look at class and society of the time! And I really like the exploration of the mentor’s relationships with mentees. There’s nothing like watching young people start their careers and make those first steps, and helping them on the way, and I love it that that’s portrayed here.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 16, 2023 @ 13:26:25
It is, Margot – lots of different interesting elements! The mentorship aspect is really interesting, because it’s not only extended by George, but also to him from Martineau – and in both cases isn’t always successful. A really fascinating read.
whisperinggums
Apr 16, 2023 @ 13:05:39
I love books like this … ie that explore social change in fluid times, like between the wars. CP Snow had been on my radar for a long time though I’ve never heard much about his books.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 16, 2023 @ 13:25:05
Me too, and this book coming from a more working class perspective really appealed to me. I suspect Snow is more thought of nowadays because of his “Two Cultures”, but I certainly enjoyed this very much!
whisperinggums
Apr 18, 2023 @ 00:35:37
Yes, that’s how I heard of him. Had a, or the (?), book once.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 18, 2023 @ 15:31:11
I have a copy myself, although I am slightly intimidated by it!!!
TravellinPenguin
Apr 16, 2023 @ 14:17:36
I had a few books in my Penguin library but don’t think I read them. There are many I wanted to read but struggle with the small print. Some were easier to see than others. Probably could have sourced it elsewhere but that’s how it goes. It sounds a good story.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 16, 2023 @ 16:13:08
Yes, the print isn’t brilliant in this one, but I was enjoying it so much that it didn’t actually matter! So I shall push on through the series with my battered old Penguin set! 😀
piningforthewest
Apr 16, 2023 @ 17:53:03
I’ve never read anything by C.P. Snow but I now feel that I must. I find hat when I begin to read those old Penguins I soon get used to the small print, but it does put me off to begin with.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2023 @ 15:12:10
I definitely recommend him after this one! And you’re right – the eyes do adjust a bit once you get going with an old Penguin!
Julé Cunningham
Apr 16, 2023 @ 18:50:13
Wonderful review! I did read the book and am sad to report it’s been so long since then that my thoughts are lost in the mists of time except for remembering how much I liked it, but I can see this is a book I’d love to revisit.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2023 @ 15:08:38
Thank you! I’d highly recommend this one – such an involving book, and I’m most keen to carry on with the series!
BookerTalk
Apr 16, 2023 @ 19:00:29
I’m reading this right now – sadly will not finish before #1940club is over but your event gave me the impetus I needed to to read this book. It, and all the others in the series, have been in the book case for the last 20 years or so. I know I tried one of them (it may have been Corridors of Power) but never got very far because I didn’t know who the characters were or the context. Then I got confused about which was the first book.
It’s been a surprise to find how much I have enjoyed Georges Passant. It’s a wonderful character study of a flawed man as well as a commentary on the age.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2023 @ 15:08:03
Ah, I’m so glad you’re enjoying it too! I was a bit surprised at how good it was as I really didn’t know what to expect, and although some of the books are described as stand-alones I’m definitely going to prefer reading them in order. I can’t understand why it has such a low profile online…
heavenali
Apr 16, 2023 @ 21:38:09
Very interested to read this review, I have previously steered clear of CP Snow but you make this sound really good. I love novels examining class and society which this clearly does.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2023 @ 14:57:49
I was impressed – I approached it not knowing really what to expect and found it brilliant. Looking forward to the rest of the books!
hopewellslibraryoflife
Apr 16, 2023 @ 21:45:05
I thought I vaguely knew of this & my humch was correct. Decades ago, in Malawi, I read the 9th book in this series–almost certainly from the British Council library in Blantyre! I will be interested if you review more of this series Nice work
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2023 @ 14:55:16
How interesting! I certainly to carry on reading the sequence to the end!!
1940 Club: All your reviews! #1940Club – Stuck in a Book
Apr 17, 2023 @ 10:35:24
Simon T
Apr 17, 2023 @ 15:07:53
So glad you enjoyed the Snow! I’ve only read one, mid-sequence, and it wasn’t for me – but maybe starting at the beginning is a better idea.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2023 @ 15:15:02
I certainly loved it, and although I’ve seen that some of the books can be read as stand-alones, I don’t know how that would work. I fully intend to read them in publication order!!!
1streading
Apr 17, 2023 @ 19:54:42
This is a series I’ve long fancied reading as well – your review certainly offers a lot of encouragment!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 17, 2023 @ 20:22:53
I definitely think it’s worth having a go, Grant, at least with the first book to see if it clicks with you. I loved it!
Calmgrove
Apr 18, 2023 @ 20:31:21
This is one of Emily’s favourite series, which she read long before sheet me and then began rereading a couple of years ago. I can’t say I’ve ever considered trying it, having more than enough to get through already, but it’s always been a sequence I felt I ought to try! Maybe sometime, who knows, but the setting is absolutely fascinating.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 18, 2023 @ 20:45:21
It is, and I absolutely loved this first book – if the rest of the sequence is up to this one, I shall be happy! I’m embarrassed at how many years it’s sat on my shelves, and also how close I’ve come to parting with the books. Very glad I’ve held on to them and will be continuing to read on through them!
Janakay | YouMightAsWellRead
Apr 19, 2023 @ 19:50:18
Great review as always! Back in my days of more ambition & energy, I started reading the series. I think I read them in publication, rather than chronological order & can’t remember precisely where I dropped out — somewhere around volumes 5 or 6. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy, precisely; just that other books were calling my name!
The novel that sticks (very faintly) in my mind is Time of Hope, in which one of the characters was struggling to became established as a barrister. It was a brilliant depiction, as I recall, of social mobility, or lack of it. Quite well done, but at the time I was more interested in an Anthony Powell sort of thing (I agree with you — the two writers are very, very different). Now I might come to a different conclusion; it would be interesting to try Snow again.
On a slightly different note, just finished my second novel (The Holiday Friend) by Snow’s wife, Pamela Hansford Johnson. I enjoyed it even more than Impossible Marriage, my first encounter with her work. It’s great that her novels are being republished but quite puzzling that she’s seems to have been somewhat forgotten at one point, at least.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 19, 2023 @ 20:34:37
Thank you! I definitely intend to go in publication order – I’m a bit of a pedant about stuff like that. And I can totally get that thing about being distracted – it really does happen and it can be hard to sustain a long series.
I suspect that I am much more responsive to the setting of this nowadays than I might have been in the past – that social struggle is much more interesting to me at the moment than the problems of upper class twits. So I’m looking forward to the rest of these – I think Time of Hope is next
And that’s interesing about PHJ – I do have one of hers too. I really don’t understand why these older authors are not more read, they’re so good!!
Liz Dexter
Apr 21, 2023 @ 19:04:34
A new series, hooray! Enjoy!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 21, 2023 @ 20:28:24
Thank you – I am so far!!
WordsAndPeace
May 24, 2023 @ 20:44:16
Congrats on reading all you had planned for this event.
I only read one, but it was so good: https://wordsandpeace.com/2023/04/10/book-review-for-the-1940-club-kallocain/
kaggsysbookishramblings
May 25, 2023 @ 10:49:33
Thank you! And agree about Kallocain – marvellous book!
Donald Butler
Apr 21, 2024 @ 23:03:11
I only discovered CP Snow around 2013, and soon acquired all 11 novels. Snow really has the writing ability to place you right there, whether at Christ’s College, Cambridge or at the House of Commons. He understands how power is exercised and how one’s opinions of individuals can change over time. I’m currently re-reading the series for the third time, halfway through the tenth novel, and I’m still absorbed in them. Lord Snow is the best.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Apr 22, 2024 @ 10:57:36
He really is an underrated writer I feel. I’ve only read the first book so far, but there’s such a wonderful sense of place and he really draws you in. Characterisation is brilliant too, and I kind of feel the series will be an excellent counterpart to Dance to the Music of Time. Must get on with reading the rest of the series! 😀