What was this novel about an English man growing up in a mansion isolated from society? I remember from school that a certain book was treated during English literature classes about an English man who grew up in a mansion isolated from society? He was taken care of and everything without having to interact with other human beings. When he finally came out into society, there was a disconnect between his view of things and reality. Could anyone tell me the title and author of that book? It was set somewhere in the 20th century. EDIT: It must have been about 25 years ago I read it. It was a British novel. I think we had a cheap paperback version and on the cover there was a picture of a man wearing fancy clothes, a grey bowlerhat and a walking stick, sitting on a chair. The idea of the novel was that the person was mentally stilted, because of his lack of social contact, very much set in his ways and routines and unable to understand other people or even acknowledge their autonomy.

This plot reminded me of the movie "Being There" starring Peter Sellers. I looked it up and it turns out this film was adapted from a book of the same title published in 1970: _Being There_ by Jerzy Kosinski.

Possibly the book you are after? Though he didn't really have "major troubles adjusting" after he left the mansion. Quite the opposite!