A. N. Wilson has written an interesting review of Thackeray's almost forgotten novel Henry Esmond, observes Mrs. M.   I agree with him that Thackeray is one of our greatest writers, and I recommend another Thackeray novel of the same period which charts the fates of the Esmonds and Castlewood families, The Virginians.

Like Henry Esmond, The Virginians, tells the saga of the fortunes and inheritance of the Esmonds. One member of the clan migrated to Virginia in the early 1700's. This  Esmond fathered twins, one of who ended up fighting for Washington, a family friend, on the patriot side of the Revolution, while the other returned to England and became a captain, eventually fought for the Royalist troops against his twin.  So we have twins fighting on opposite sides in the War of Independence.

Woven through all this is the coveted Esmond inheritance and the family ‘Castlewood' title, estates, fortune, and beautiful wives and daughters.   As in Vanity Fair the complex story and powerful characters are set against elaborate historical detail and comic descriptions of fashions and foibles, the clubs, the politics, the royal and noble figures, and the back biting family manoeuvres to win influence and fortune.

These books are great romp through the history, literary and ecclesiastical life of Queen Anne's London with a large dose of satire.  It's a vivid portrait of early 18c England as only Thackeray can paint it.