The Forsyte Chronicles, Vol. 3: End of the Chapter

By: John Galsworthy

Narrated by: David Timson

Length: 30 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

John Galsworthy's magnificent trilogy of power and passion chronicles the wealthy Forsyte family. As the disintegrating values of the Victorian era progress to World War I and the political uncertainty of the 1930s, the family's material and emotional struggles are set within the dwindling status of the affluent middle-classes. Infused with warmth, compassion, and engaging characters, the complete chronicles are divided into three volumes, containing nine books and four interludes in total.

The third volume of this gripping family saga, End of the Chapter, shifts to the Cherrells - cousins of the Forsytes by marriage. Young Dinny Cherrell in particular cherishes their ancestral home, Condaford Grange, which represents stability in a rapidly changing world. Through his depiction of the lives and loves of this family, Galsworthy throws a brilliant spotlight on the social and political upheavals of the 1930s.

End of the Chapter contains book one: Maid in Waiting, book two: Flowering Wilderness, and book three: Over the River.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

Public Domain (P)2021 Naxos Audiobooks

Glad I heard it on Audible

I tried to read the novel and got bored, always wondering "What happened to the Forsyte characters like Irene, Jon and Anne, Holly and Val?" etc. There is very little mention of the old Forsyte crew and just a little bit more of Fleur and her husband. Thank goodness this was available on Audible. With that said, this turned out to be a pretty enjoyable trilogy, although not as memorable as the Forsyte Saga and A Modern Comedy.

Enjoyable but …….

I did not enjoy this third book nearly as much as the first two.
The shift to Michael’s side of the family felt like it mostly did not belong. And Michael not really involved made it even stranger.
I did not care for Claire’s character, her coming off as a bit too spoiled.
Wilfred too was not an especially nice person. Another self absorbed person.
This last book would have made a good book in its own series, but not as the final book of this series

Perfection

Listened to all three volumes. Nobel prize much deserved for this unforgettable saga. Feeling a little lost now it’s been such a journey with theses families. Even learned to love Soames. The narration was superb. If you love English literature this will be addictive.

Very enjoyable

I’m so glad I l listened to the entire series. I very much enjoyed the narrator and the author. I especially enjoyed hearing about what life was like during this time period for an upper class family. There is a divorce trial towards the end of the book which is very interesting because it reflects what was considered appropriate at the time between a married woman and a single man. Is it appropriate for him to visit her in her rooms alone? The judge comments how much has changed between when he was young and the “modern” times of the early 1930s. I found that very fascinating. Even though this book is not about the Forsytes but about another related family, I still found it very worthwhile.