The Italian Girl by Iris Murdoch

The oh so good Edmund Narraway has returned home following the death of his mother - a mother and a home he hoped he would never have to see again.  Things are just as disturbing as when he left.  His grossly over weight brother ends most of his daily drunken binges asleep in his sculpture studio.  His sister-in-law makes an awkward attempt at seduction. And then there is the strange Russian brother and sister who apparently assist his brother in his work and provide other "services".  The one stable character who is charged with the responsibility of keeping all heads above water is "Maggie" the latest in a long series of Italian girls who have nurtured the children and run the household for as long as Edmund can remember.  He has returned only long enough to hear the will.  Before the will can be located,  he is drawn into all manner of family drama.  His determination to live the pure life has made him profoundly inept at any kind of life at all.  And so goes the farce.  Is Murdoch providing insight to the British life style or mocking it?  Just not sure...