I really enjoy Hugh Walpole's style of writing, I know it isn't every ones cup of tea, he is quite old fashioned these days, but to my mind a good book is a good book no matter when it is written, although tastes change.
This particular books is about the Cathedral and its officials and also the people of Polchester in which the Cathedral is situated. It comes with a message I suppose in that pride comes before a fall! Don't get to full of yourself because there are always people around to bring you down a peg or two!
Archdeacon Brandon is one such person, puffed up with his own importance, to full of being an official in the church than to really look into his own family life which is slowly and quietly falling apart. By the time he realizes (but at least he does realize)it is far far too late to change it.
Quite sad really, and by the end you are really sorry for all concerned. ( )