Habiits of the House

Habits of the House, by Fay Weldon,

St. Martin's Press, 2012, 314 pages.

Introducing the Dilburnes: a group of aristocratic royals bent on maintaining their stature in the community. Set in London of 1899, this tale describes a family that consists of a titled gambler, and his wife – who keeps up appearances in spite of the reality happening beneath her nose. We have heirs apparent in Dilburne daughter Rosina – who is somewhat self-absorbed –  and son Arthur, who is much more fascinated with vehicles than with women.

Robert, the Earl of Dilburne and his wife, the Countess Isobel, are being financed by a Mr. Baum, their investment analyst  He could literally choose to make or break the family fortune at any time. The well-placed Dillburnes could aid their cause by being kind to Baum's wife, a simple enough solution which nevertheless becomes a tangled web of boorish behavior.

One of the family's principle investments is the Modder Kloof, a gold mine in South Africa which has been rendered worthless as it was flooded during the Boer Wars.

We also are introduced to a staff of servants, most notably Grace, but also featuring Elsie, the Nevilles (husband and wife), and Reginald, who acts as chauffer from time to time. The servants have their own information network, and know things of which the Dilburnes might well wish that they were ignorant.

At various points Arthur pays the way for his "exclusive" beck and call girl – Flora, only to learn – well why be a spoiler? The Dilburnes seem intent on treating some of the people who could help them the most in a

shabby fashion. 

Alas! There appears to be only one way of preserving the family position in society: one of the children must marry. Neither Rosina nor Arthur appear to grasp the urgency of the family plight, even while being aware of that which is required.

What we have here is a collection of loose threads: pull on the wrong one and the sweater unravels. The Dilburnes encounter options and opportunities. Still, possibilities do not outcomes guarantee. In the ensuing pages we will meet a butcher's daughter, an American from Chicago. Arthur will learn of a rival for Flora's "affection." Tess and Minnie, mother and daughter, arrive from Chicago to mixed reviews, stating it generously.

Fay Weldon spares no detail; we are told of the fashion of the period as well as the sumptuous meals served at lavish dinner parties as the Dilburnes put on airs or mingle with colleagues. 

Let the reader decide. To a greater or lesser extent we have met the enemy and he is us.