Nobody's Man 1921

NOBODY'S MAN (1921)

It is the start of the 1920s in Britain. Tallente a gifted politician loses a by-election in a complex manoeuvre. At the end of the novel he is Prime Minister and has dispensed with his wealthy American arriviste wife, to marry a more comfortably ambitious Devon landowner.
In this novel there is an unusual amount of political intrigue that seems remarkably isolated from the wider social reality of the time.
Oppenheim shows a sympathy for labour but confuses the movement with the party and vice versa. You only feel the true discriminating taste of the author is excited by evidence of social solecisms.

Tallente's rival is described thus: "From head to foot the man wore the wrong clothes in the wrong manner-boots of a vivid shade of brown, thick socks without garters, an obviously ready-made suit of grey flannel, a hopeless tie, an unimaginable collar."
How much happier the author is with a simple mealtime: "We want the best of your ordinary dishes," Tallente told him, "and remember that we do not come here expecting Ritz specialities or a Savoy chef d'oeuvres which you know all about, a sole grilled a la maison, a plainly roasted chicken with an endive salad. The savoury must be a cheese souffle. And as for wine..."

He broke off and looked across the table. Jane smiled apologetically.

"You will never bring me out again," she declared. "I want some champagne."

"I never felt more like it myself," he agreed. "The Pommery, George, slightly iced, an aperitif now, and the dinner can take its course. We will linger over the hors d'oeuvres and we are in no hurry." 

That's the way to order, Oppy!
5/10

Jacob's Ladder 1921

JACOB'S LADDER 1921

Seemingly humble Jacob Pratt falls into financial disgrace and is snubbed by most of his associates. 
 On the first day of his fall from grace on his way to work he gets into the customary train carriage. A fellow passenger Edward Bultiwell puts aside The Times:
"Pratt," he said, "am I to understand that the greeting which you offered to the occupants of this carriage when you entered was intended to include me?"
"I, I certainly meant it," was the tremulous reply.
"Then let me say that such a liberty must not be repeated. I look upon a man who has compounded with his creditors as a person temporarily, at any rate, outside the pale of converse with his fellows on-er-equal terms. I look upon your presence in a first class carriage ...as an impertinence to those who have had to suffer from your insolvency."

Thus he is obliged to leave his seat at the next station and get in a  3rd class carriage where a Richard Dauncey speaks kindly to him.
Two years' later Pratt's brother-and co-partner-living in America strikes it rich in oil and overnight Mr Pratt is wealthy.
How will Pratt respond? How will others react?
As the temptations of revenge, generosity and love play out we see how Pratt responds as in a moral fable.
An enjoyable read.
6/10