Try to imagine a telenovela that takes place in the late Victorian era, and uses very formal language. Add in the most biting sarcasm imaginable, and you might have an idea of what this book is like.

Miles Mowbray rules his family with an iron hand wrapped in self-aggrandizement and self-pity. His dinner table orations, in which he doesn’t hesitate to contradict himself, are something to marvel at. His three grown daughters, while completely in his power in the physical sense, are mentally both independent and contemptuous of him. Only Constance tries to explain, excuse, and accept his behavior. His heir (the property is entailed), who is his nephew Malcolm, is continually at odds with him. But of course Malcolm won’t leave the house: he might have to work and live with his mother Eliza. The only person who exercises any sort of sway over Miles is his wife Ellen, a wise knowing woman. There is another household ruled by Malcolm’s mother; they live very close by.

The story is told almost completely through dialogue. The only action on the page consists of people entering and leaving rooms, and one or two walks between the two establishments. But there are plenty of melodramatic plot twists to keep up one’s interest.

This book isn’t for everyone. Most of the characters are devastatingly honest, not to say hateful. I admit that I didn’t like the book at all until about the last third, when the farcical story elements began to appear. Then I started to like it very much. This isn’t light or frothy, but Compton-Burnett shows a keen knowledge of the secret thoughts, hates, and desires of her characters. I’ll be looking for more of her books. They’re a challenge. ( )