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