Before Downton Abbey Julian Fellowes had written other screenplays (Gosford Park) and true to his theme of British class comparisons, his novel Snobs is a modern day look at class conscious England. The book shows a present day look at nobility and titled Brits and their upper class "club" along with many little insights.For instance:
When you don't know someone brought up in conversation you say "I've met them once but they probably won't remember me."
This is an acceptable lie as the person you are speaking to knows immediately that you have never met the person being discussed.
When seated at a dining table you speak first to the person on your left. When the courses change you turn to the person on your right.
Never gush over someone's wealth although when observing something amazing and expensive it's acceptable to say "How simply lovely."
When three Englishmen meet, it doesn't take them long to devise a rule where a fourth person can't be included in their "club."
From the Cover:
Edith Lavery, an English blond with large eyes and nice manners, is the daughter of an accountant and his social-climbing wife. When Charles, the Earl Broughton, falls in love with her, Edith accepts his proposal of marriage. But is she in love with Charles - or with his wealth, his position and all that goes with it?
