Snobs (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook

" I "really liked it" because it is very Julian Fellowes. A detailed, careful study of British upper class snobbery in keeping with their long standing though evolving class system. You can see where The Dowager Countess Grantham emerged and a few other characters from Downton. He is a clever man and a good writer - but wow - the editing on my Kindle edition is terrible. "

" Satirical view of the English upper classes as we follow the plights of a gold digging young woman clawing her way up the social ladder. Makes me so happy to be working class! "

" Satire of British society . Perhaps third or forth strata of self-important people and their country life in estates & manors. Edith, common but pretty, weds the passive, dim son of a very haughty mother, Lady Uckfield. Not an impressive book, but it did become more interesting as I read on. "

" Snobs was initially a pleasurably satirical and snippy read, but after numerous chapters of the seemingly endless and very tedious ins-and-outs of aristocratic society, it started to become - to employ a word used frequently in the book - dreary, and by the end I didn't care what happened. It was well-written, but suffered from the same problem as Fellowes' (superior) second novel Past Imperfect; too many digressions into intricate details of the upper echelons of the class system. Reading this, you'd be forgiven for thinking that upper middle class is the lowest of the low and not being on friendly terms with an aristocratic family is the worst thing imaginable - it's as if no life beyond this highly privileged world even exists. I know it's likely this attitude is part of the satire, but it still annoyed me. Plus the narrator is virtually invisible (we never even learn his name) and Edith isn't a sympathetic or likeable character, so it's hard to feel an attachment to anyone in the story. "

" Reads like he planned it to be a screenplay. Not a likeable character in the lot "

" I wasn't sure what to expect of this novel from the creator of Downton Abbey. Set in modern-day, it didn't immediately promise the glamour and historical intrigue of his famous Edwardian series. But I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Snobs. Like Downton, its storyline is about the British upper class, this time focusing on a "commoner" marrying into a blue-blooded family. But the book is not really driven by plot as much as it is by its finely-tuned characters. What I found myself enjoying most was the author's adept way of observing and articulating the nuances of how people talk and perform for each other. His insights on British society, class structure, and etiquette were enlightening, too. All in all, a fun insider's look at the "job" of being an English aristocrat, and the misguided hopes of those aspiring to high society. "

" Wanted to like this since it's the same writer as Downton Abbey, but just didn't. The story picks up towards the end, and I enjoyed the narrator's sharp wit in places, but overall I was able to put this book down far too often and was never really excited when I picked it back up. "

" The New York Times says, "When you read a book, you're lost in time. All the more reason to read Snobs. It will distract you pleasantly. It's like a visit to an English country estate: breezy, beautiful and charming." Although it got mixed reviews, I look at it as a high class British romance, with an undertone of social commentary. I loved the audio version. "

" I have to say the resolution was pat and disappointing; the stylings of the book, in contrast, were minute and well-timed. It seems like the point of this book is not necessarily to explore and resolve the plot, but to show that the social strata and behaviors of the British gentry haven't changed for hundreds of years, and are not likely to in the near future. "

" A lovely insightful novel. Has humour and feeling for the characters. Even Lady Uckfield had readeeming features as the mother trying to help her son. I highly recommend it. "

" I greatly enjoyed this glimpse inside modern day artistocracy. I love all things British and this was a modern Gosford Park. "

" These never get old. "

" Read this for book group -- BEST way to find books one would never stumble on... This was sort of wince-inducing, but great lines of dry humor and portrayal (I guess accurate) of how class works and does not work in England. "

" Reads like an essay or etiquette book about the upper classes, disguised as a novel. Self consciously clever and witty insights, but very unoriginal plot. First person narrator knows more of Edith's inner thoughts than makes sense. Only "enlivened" by an implausible ending. "

" It's not exactly a substitute for Downton, but it's pretty entertaining. "

" fun romp through the lives of the upper crust "

" A very enjoyable read, I recommend it to fans of Downton Abby, and Pride and Prejudice. Fellowes eye for detail and ear for language is very sharp, but he's more than just style. I think Jane Austin would be please. "

" Light read to pass away the day on vacation. Fans of Downton will see similarities. "

" Hilarious. Never dull or dry, the writing was crisp, clean and hit the spot. This American was very entertained. "

" This along with his second novel Past Imperfect are very funny and insightful books about British society a few degrees removed from the royal family. You will laugh, and both are very quick reads. "

" Interesting exploration of the British caste system. "

" It was a fun cottage read, but I wouldn't say I learned anything! "

" So disappointed... I was really looking forward to reading this book, but it just kept stalling. "

" It was no P.G. Wodehouse. "

" A lovely insightful novel. Has humour and feeling for the characters. Even Lady Uckfield had readeeming features as the mother trying to help her son. I highly recommend it. "

" What a writer. Snobs has all the qualities that made the Downton Abbey series so colorful and evocative of English aristocracy passing through a changing world. Snobs brings both pinpoint darts and kind, though rueful, understanding to the inner sanctum of great houses and titles. "

" I am not British so I'm not familiar with the British jargon, this made it a little hard going from tome to time for me. I also didn't find it funny, but a little sad, and for me it was a tedious read overall. "

" Satire of British society . Perhaps third or forth strata of self-important people and their country life in estates & manors. Edith, common but pretty, weds the passive, dim son of a very haughty mother, Lady Uckfield. Not an impressive book, but it did become more interesting as I read on. "

" It was no P.G. Wodehouse. "

" A light, quick comedic take on the British upper classes in the 1990s by the screenwriter of Gosford Park "

" Read this book since Julian Fellowes wrote Downton Abbey. It is about the different classes in the UK set in modern times. Girl meets an aristrocat and it goes from there. "

" I enjoyed this book as a peeping-tom enjoys...well...peeping. Having the rare opportunity to see how high society really works - quite relieved really to be an outsider. Quite eye-opening at times and realising that our class system is a strong as ever even in these modern times. "

" Like candy for dinner. "

" I couldn't seem to get into this book and because I didn't get it finished in time for book club, I set it aside. "

" This really is the best telling of the "romance of the century" if you can read between the lines. City girl marries country squire. And the rest, as they say, is history. "

" Wanted to like this since it's the same writer as Downton Abbey, but just didn't. The story picks up towards the end, and I enjoyed the narrator's sharp wit in places, but overall I was able to put this book down far too often and was never really excited when I picked it back up. "

" As a Downton Abbey fan, I was excited to read this. It was okay. There was a bit of insight into the class and society that exists to this day among "estate owners" and I could find things relevant to the characters of my fav show! "

" Writing style was easy to read, but I found the characters to have no redeaming qualities. it is very hard to like a book if you can not relate or like a character. "

" Excelente! como todo lo que hace Lord Fellowes. Un paseo excitante por la aristocracia inglesa y sus costumbres. "

" Delightful, nicely detailed. "

" A little bit slow to start but once it did! Highly entertaining, well written and a pleasure to read. I'll add gosford park to my list as well now. "

" I enjoyed this book as a peeping-tom enjoys...well...peeping. Having the rare opportunity to see how high society really works - quite relieved really to be an outsider. Quite eye-opening at times and realising that our class system is a strong as ever even in these modern times. "

" i read this at home in budapest to accompany meal times and have reread it a dozen times, with my favourite sections being descriptions of snubbing and being snubbed. fun. "

" A modern day Downton Abbey - good, but not as good as D.A. "

" Delightfully fizzy. "

" Pretentious. "

" I really enjoyed this book. I would give it 3.5 stars, but it is very close to 4 stars. If you like Downton Abbey you will enjoy this modern version. "

" A very enjoyable read, I recommend it to fans of Downton Abby, and Pride and Prejudice. Fellowes eye for detail and ear for language is very sharp, but he's more than just style. I think Jane Austin would be please. "

" A very enjoyable read, I recommend it to fans of Downton Abby, and Pride and Prejudice. Fellowes eye for detail and ear for language is very sharp, but he's more than just style. I think Jane Austin would be please. "

" I greatly enjoyed this glimpse inside modern day artistocracy. I love all things British and this was a modern Gosford Park. "

" I greatly enjoyed this glimpse inside modern day artistocracy. I love all things British and this was a modern Gosford Park. "

" Not nearly as funny or as interesting as it was made out to be. "

" Not nearly as funny or as interesting as it was made out to be. "

" I'm torn between 4 and 5 stars--I loved this book! Clearly the guy knows how to write about class differences and structure past and present! "

" I'm torn between 4 and 5 stars--I loved this book! Clearly the guy knows how to write about class differences and structure past and present! "

" Interesting view into Britain's society hierarchy in modern times. "

" Interesting view into Britain's society hierarchy in modern times. "

" I did like this and am a bit sad I have finished it "

" I did like this and am a bit sad I have finished it "

" Very funny and interesting book about the peculiarities of high society life in modern Britain. "

" Very funny and interesting book about the peculiarities of high society life in modern Britain. "