Book Review: "House of Trelawney" by Hannah Rothschild

I remember reading Hannah Rothschild's The Improbability of Love and thinking that because it was a rom-com, it was going to be a good light read to simply fill in some time. However, it was not like that before. Written with captivating prose, jokes that actually made me laugh (you may not think it is rare but it takes a lot to make me laugh, I don't even laugh at stand-up comedy) and complete with characters that were really interesting and had serious development in the book - I knew that this was not what I thought it was going to be. Since then, I have been quite a fan of her work. I mean, I waited for four years before I could find an affordable copy of House of Trelawney and that was, of course, from the library.

At the heart of House of Trelawney is the eponymous Cornish castle, a sprawling yet dilapidated estate that has been in the Trelawney family for over 800 years. Once a symbol of immense wealth and prestige, the castle now serves as a metaphor for the decline of the British aristocracy. The novel paints a vivid picture of the difficulties faced by old money families who have been unable (or unwilling) to adapt to modern financial realities. The estate, which used to be the centre of high society, is now falling apart, with leaking roofs, collapsing walls, and an absence of heating. The family’s struggle to maintain their dignity while being suffocated by debt is a key driving force in the narrative. Now I don't want to draw too much attention to the theme of old money and the author's family name but here we can see some clear influence working together. But whilst many novels like this are dark and brooding, Rothschild manages to keep a lilting vibe to her work whilst telling us an incredible story.

The Trelawney family consists of various eccentric members, each grappling with their own misfortunes. The patriarch, Kitto Trelawney, clings to outdated traditions and an aristocratic sense of entitlement, refusing to acknowledge the financial ruin surrounding him. His wife, Jane, exhausted and overburdened, attempts to keep the household running despite its dire state. The burden of managing their dwindling resources largely falls on their daughter, Blaze, a fiercely intelligent woman who once thrived in the world of finance but was unfairly sidelined in her career. The novel explores how family expectations and gender roles have shaped her fate. This is a family straight out of an Evelyn Waugh novel or something that you'd find in Gosford Park and to be honest, I am a huge Downton Abbey fan - so you can tell this would be perfect for me.

Blaze Trelawney was once a promising hedge fund manager, but due to rampant sexism in the male-dominated world of finance, she lost her position to her less competent but more charismatic ex-boyfriend, Xavier. Despite her skills, Blaze finds herself undermined at every turn, highlighting the systemic barriers women face in elite financial circles. Her dismissal from her career is not just a personal setback but also an indication of how traditional structures continue to exclude talented women. Blaze’s arc in the novel revolves around regaining her confidence and finding a way back into the financial world while trying to support her crumbling family estate. Again, I don't want to draw any assumptions based on the author's family name - but the way in which this is worked into a storyline which is now starting to become more modern and relevant means that the reader cannot help but think about it.

The novel balances its serious themes with a comedic, often farcical tone. Mishaps and financial disasters pile up, from the estate’s continued deterioration to the family’s failed schemes to keep it afloat. Rothschild crafts these moments with dry, British humour, ensuring that even in the most desperate circumstances, the characters remain engaging and their predicaments amusing. The Trelawneys’ attempts to hold onto their former glory are often absurd, making their journey both tragic and comedic. Rothschild has proven she is probably best writing in a tone that has this satirical edge and possibly one that also includes characters that she has drawn on from real life (I'm only assuming, I don't actually know).

All in all, House of Trelawney is a fun 'Comedy of Errors' in which each step of the way, something new is unturned from the stone of old money. A critique of the upper class's unwillingness to change with the times by forcing in some real modern themes, this book really does highlight how out of touch these people really are. The Trelawney family grasp at straws as we witness their tragicomedic downfall.