Class - Revision history

Marcin at 10:46, 21 September 2024

2024-09-21T10:46:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:46, 21 September 2024
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	Book is based on Cooper's English version, this appears derivative		Book is based on Cooper's English version, this appears derivative

	Intelligent, but unpalatably nasty		Intelligent, but unpalatably nasty
	Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2004		Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2004

Marcin at 10:46, 21 September 2024

2024-09-21T10:46:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:46, 21 September 2024
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			Book is based on Cooper's English version, this appears derivative
	Intelligent, but unpalatably nasty		Intelligent, but unpalatably nasty
	Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2004		Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2004

Marcin at 10:40, 21 September 2024

2024-09-21T10:40:36Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:40, 21 September 2024
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	Another review calls it an unintentional guide for class climbers		Another review calls it an unintentional guide for class climbers

			Read "Class" by Jilly Cooper first
			Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2003
			Having read several of Fussell's other books, I wondered why this is the only one that is entertaining (the man is both a misanthrope and a bit of a whiner). Then I stumbled upon Class by Jilly Cooper, which provides a highly amusing view of the British class system, and realized that Fussell had modeled his book on hers.

			That's not to say that it's a rip-off. In fact, Fussell's genius lies in his having recognized a great concept and modified it for the American market. Additionally, he specifically credits Cooper at several points in his book.

			Having grown up in a middle-class family in Pomona, California, Fussell does not have an intuitive understanding of Northeastern snobbery, which may account for some of the weaknesses in this book. Far better in that regard are "Old Money" by Nelson Aldrich or several books on the subject by Lewis Lapham, both of whom grew up in wealthy families.

			Perhaps the greatest weakness in the book is Fussell's description of Class X as the ideal class. The people he describes so favorably, including himself, appear to be little more than Aging Hippies, frozen in time

			=Links=
			*[[Class - by Jilly Cooper]]

Marcin at 10:05, 21 September 2024

2024-09-21T10:05:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:05, 21 September 2024
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			https://www.amazon.com/Class-Through-American-Status-System/dp/0671792253#aw-udpv3-customer-reviews_feature_div


	Intelligent, but unpalatably nasty		Intelligent, but unpalatably nasty
	Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2004		Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2004
	The greatest irony of this admittedly meanspirited but smart little satirical study might seem initially that, in the intervening twenty years since it was published, it has become literally a social climbing guide for status-seeking readers. Many upper-class aspirants still religiously look to it to learn how, for example, to have their suits tailored (no "prole gap" between jacket and neck!) or decorate their living rooms.		The greatest irony of this admittedly meanspirited but smart little satirical study might seem initially that, in the intervening twenty years since it was published, it has become literally a social climbing guide for status-seeking readers. Many upper-class aspirants still religiously look to it to learn how, for example, to have their suits tailored (no "prole gap" between jacket and neck!) or decorate their living rooms.
	But perhaps this irony isn't so great after all. Despite the often brilliant (although now dated) observations Fussell makes, the loathing he feels for the middle classes and mockery he shows towards the "proles" really isn't balanced by any similar feelings for the upper classes, or for what Fussell designates as his own class ("class X"). Just as he describes the wealthiest of the wealthy as "out of sight," so is any pointed satire aimed towards them. Worst of all, his argument (like Freudian psychoanalysis or Marxism) is neatly unfalsifiable: any criticism you might make of his argument is neatly explained away on his terms as symptomatic of your own class insecurity, which functions as a kind of false consciousness. It's an exceptionally intelligent book, but too mean-spirited and blind to its own prejudices ultimately to be as trenchant as it means to be.		But perhaps this irony isn't so great after all. Despite the often brilliant (although now dated) observations Fussell makes, the loathing he feels for the middle classes and mockery he shows towards the "proles" really isn't balanced by any similar feelings for the upper classes, or for what Fussell designates as his own class ("class X"). Just as he describes the wealthiest of the wealthy as "out of sight," so is any pointed satire aimed towards them. Worst of all, his argument (like Freudian psychoanalysis or Marxism) is neatly unfalsifiable: any criticism you might make of his argument is neatly explained away on his terms as symptomatic of your own class insecurity, which functions as a kind of false consciousness. It's an exceptionally intelligent book, but too mean-spirited and blind to its own prejudices ultimately to be as trenchant as it means to be.

			Another review calls it an unintentional guide for class climbers

Marcin: Created page with "Intelligent, but unpalatably nasty Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2004 The greatest irony of this admittedly meanspirited but smart little satirical study might..."

2024-09-21T10:04:18Z

Created page with "Intelligent, but unpalatably nasty Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2004 The greatest irony of this admittedly meanspirited but smart little satirical study might..."

New page

Intelligent, but unpalatably nasty
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2004
The greatest irony of this admittedly meanspirited but smart little satirical study might seem initially that, in the intervening twenty years since it was published, it has become literally a social climbing guide for status-seeking readers. Many upper-class aspirants still religiously look to it to learn how, for example, to have their suits tailored (no "prole gap" between jacket and neck!) or decorate their living rooms.
But perhaps this irony isn't so great after all. Despite the often brilliant (although now dated) observations Fussell makes, the loathing he feels for the middle classes and mockery he shows towards the "proles" really isn't balanced by any similar feelings for the upper classes, or for what Fussell designates as his own class ("class X"). Just as he describes the wealthiest of the wealthy as "out of sight," so is any pointed satire aimed towards them. Worst of all, his argument (like Freudian psychoanalysis or Marxism) is neatly unfalsifiable: any criticism you might make of his argument is neatly explained away on his terms as symptomatic of your own class insecurity, which functions as a kind of false consciousness. It's an exceptionally intelligent book, but too mean-spirited and blind to its own prejudices ultimately to be as trenchant as it means to be.