content: I truly wanted to read The Pride, so much that I forced myself to get through half the novel before I abandoned it. Mr. Ford writes lovely prose and can turn a phrase. Unfortunately, this novel is bogged down with tedious character development and a plodding storyline. It takes the first hundred pages or so to get several characters to a decedent's memorial service. Then, the next 1/3 of the book is spent over a luncheon meeting. Before the lunchgoers had finished their meal, I was completely tired of them and their business deliberations. I had no interest in continuing.