This novel, George Passant, was originally known as Strangers and Brothers, a title that was later appropriated for the whole series. And although now regarded as second in the sequence, in many ways it sets the scene for the themes that were to develop over the twelve novels – interpersonal relationships developing in the context of complex social, economic and political developments - developments which engaged the interest and the passion of the young people in both Leicester and London with a passionate intensity that remains unmatched in modern times, in terms both of its sophistication and energy.
The novel is set in the period 1925-33, a small period within the wider scope of Time of Hope. Most young people were, of course, on the left, though this ranged from a mild desire to relax social relations and move towards more distributive economic policies all the way to Communism and the desire for revolution, violent if necessary. At the same time, people remained as concerned as ever with status, getting on, and finding partners for life and for work. This is the backdrop to George Passant; the eponymous hero is energetic, committed to social and political change, and working towards it through working with young people to help them, first through education (classes at night school) and then in a looser social grouping which talks and dreams, but which may have a harder core of political toughness – and certainly serves as the recruiting ground to satisfy some of George’s more conventional appetites – sex and money.
The idealism of George and some of the others comes into conflict with the local authorities, and also within the group with the harder headed and more cynical aspirations of men like Jack Cotery. There is the whiff of scandal, of fraud, and eventually a court case. Throughout, Lewis Eliot is moving away yet remaining strongly tied to “the group”. He moves away to London, his career begins to develop, and he is growing physically and emotionally distant; but he owes much early support to George, and to his friends, and cannot break. He has love troubles of his own, and a growing distaste for the way some people in George’s group are behaving – but he has to support them, a support which is deep in his heart but which is in tension with new loyalties and new demands in London. Even after all his troubles, George is an inspiration: "He could still warm himself and everyone around him with his own hope."
This is not my favourite novel of the sequence, but it is very good, especially on the stultifying small town dogmatism and closeness of the 1920s, and it paints warm and realistic portraits of men and women on both sides of the debate. Snow has a warm understanding of what motivates and drives his characters, and is there in their minds. Here themes are developed which will carry through all the novels, leading up to arguments about the war with Germany, the use of the bomb, and the failure to build a new Jerusalem in the 1950s and 60s – and about people’s continuous attempts - often futile or thwarted – to be happy or at least at ease with their lives.
Strangers and Brothers gave Philip Snow the title for his engaging biography of C P Snow, which is called Stranger and Brother, well worth a read if you enjoy the novels.
Well, speaking of Snow on 2nd February was quite appropriate... You have a perfect sense of timing, Mr Bagshaw!
This idea just occurred to me as I was in the middle of something else. And I re-log on, quite environmental unfriendly, I know...
Posted by: glo | Tuesday, 03 February 2009 at 02:31 AM