Good Behaviour

Molly Keane sticks to her chosen niche in this book, the story of an Anglo-Irish family whose members are dedicated to mutual assured destruction, even as they slide into genteel poverty. Nobody in the St Charles household would dream of treating the dogs or horses badly; servants and local tradesmen don't fare so well. But the brunt of their vituperation is saved for one another, with each family member nursing a store of petty grievances, both real and imaginary. Our guide for this particular version of hell is the unlovely, delusional daughter of the house, Aroon. Neglected by her philandering father, despised by her icy mother, used by her charming brother, she pines for love and approval. Her transformation to bitter, vengeful, old maid is inevitable and heartbreaking to watch. Nobody captures the claustrophobic world of the decaying Anglo-Irish aristocracy better than Molly Keane. While parts of "Good Behaviour" are very funny indeed, it is considerably darker and more complex than the rest of her books, all of which cover similar ground. The writing is exceptional; Keane nails the idiosyncrasies of her characters vividly, with wit and affection. An engaging, if ultimately depressing, account of a not so well-behaved family.

I'm belatedly writing this review because I feel it's owed, since I dinged another of Keane's novels, "Queen Lear," rather badly years ago. Excerpts from the QL review: "I bought [Queen Lear] because I was stunned by the perfection of "Good Behavior" which I expect to read again and again over the years. . . [In Queen Lear] Molly Keane seems to attempt a repeat of the magnificent knockout punch she delivered in "Good Behavior" (an ending which perfectly and shockingly fulfills and transforms the beginning, built logically and inevitably on everything in between). . . [In Good Behavior] Molly Keane made me sympathize with and finally, grudgingly admire a truly fascinating heroine, Iris Aroon. She's warped, stunted, horrifyingly self-deluded, and her unquestioning acceptance of the shallow values of her tormentors is rather disgusting. Still, there's the hidden audacity and sly creative stubbornness with which she copes." Almost 6 years after writing the QL review, my re-readings of "Good Behavior" are beyond count and the pleasure they've given me immeasurable. This book is simply outstanding. I would not compare Keane to Austen though. As in Austen's novels, "Good Behavior" presents a meticulously structured and seamlessly controlled plot progression, featuring masterful character development and telling social detail. But Keane's story has little positive emotional appeal, which though often understated was never lacking in Austen - even her nasty little novelette, "Lady Susan," does not have the nihilistic undertones of "Good Behavior." As a rule I abhor nihilism in all of its trifling, self-important manifestations, but it's bearable in Good Behavior because Keane has the good sense and the skill to deliver a double-whammy payoff to reward the reader's generous bestowal of attention and time. First, there's the massive intellectual thrill the moment we "get" the significance of the first scene as the last concludes, and secondly, there's the deeply rooted satisfaction of witnessing proof that indeed, "what goes around, comes around." The universe is just, and our choices significant. HOOOAH. Big time. I deeply admire Austen and generally prefer reading her to reading Keane, but still must say that in "Good Behavior" Keane delivers her one-two knockout with a power and precision unequalled in any other novel I've read, including Austen's best.

...In "Good Behavior", Keane has captured this world, depicting with sharply witty and bitter accuracy the passe rituals, the claims of class superiority, the tyranny of families disguised under the label of love. Yet she maintains the poignancy of the human need for acceptance and love.I am looking forward to reading her other novels. And I've heard that there is a BBC production of "Good Behavior", so I'll be watching for it as well.

I found this book at a used book store for 48 cents - what a wonderful discovery! Entertaining, touching and very funny.

An aristocratic family living in poverty in a huge, crumbling mansion...A fat woman terribly disappointed in love...How could this story be funny? Only through the wit and skill of a great undiscovered writer like Molly Keane--how truly sad that this book is Hard To Find. She creates Ireland in the 30's for us in tones so rich and vivid that you'll never want it to end.