Lies and Weddings

As editor Jenny Jackson says, “if there is one truth universally acknowledged within the Kevin Kwan universe, it is that a single man without possession of a fortune must be in want of a rich wife.” The single man in this comedy of manners is the Viscount St. Ives, known internationally as “Viscount St. Abs” after a photo of him ironing shirtless went viral. He’s not particularly concerned with the family’s money problems; he’d happily live out his days surfing in Hawaii instead of moving through high society. But his mother needs him to marry up. English major types will recognize this as a reimagining of Anthony Trollope’s Doctor Thorne, but zero experience with the 19th century novel is required to drink down this plotty, binge-worthy, completely-over-the-top delight.