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2.83k reviews for:
Brideshead Revisited: The sacred & profane memories of Captain Charles Ryder
Evelyn Waugh
3.87 AVERAGE
2.83k reviews for:
Brideshead Revisited: The sacred & profane memories of Captain Charles Ryder
Evelyn Waugh
3.87 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this book in the reading. The language is just gorgeous, and much of the conflict between the main character and his lover seems to be as much about the conflict between older and newer versions of England emerging and disappearing around WWII as the love affair. However, after discussing it in book club, I realized just how self-focused the main character is--it's all about his search to be a part of this family either as friend or lover to the detriment of even his own children. In this need, Charles seems to be in love with the style of life, house, living and people as much as any one person. Later I wasn't sure if the book was more about infatuation than love. The pressures of religion cut close to home for me; I found the end particularly devastating.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
loved the atmosphere, last third of the book was a bore though
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a book I’ve been wanting to read for a while now, but I’ve put it off. This, unfortunately, allowed too much time to build my expectations to a point where I left little room for anything but those expectations to be met.
The book is a reflective look back on Charles Ryder’s friendship with Sebastian Flyte and his family in the decades leading up to World War II. Charles and Sebastian are students at Oxford, and despite Sebastian’s initial efforts to keep Charles’ friendship for himself, the more he spirals into alcoholism, the more Charles gets entangled with Sebastian’s family. Julia, Sebastian’s sister, also forms a friendship with Charles. Their friendship grows complicated as the years go on, faith, spouses, and family getting in the way.
I enjoy the idea of this book. I enjoy the themes, particularly the spiritual ones, but the writing is so dry and on the surface. I felt absolutely no connection to the characters, and in turn, didn’t find myself caring what happened to them one way or another. I’ve read another book by Evelyn Waugh in the past and I remember having the same difficulty with the style. There is a lot of telling rather than showing. I’m disappointed, but I’m hoping as it’s memory fades, the essence will remain and I’ll think back with a fonder memory.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Alcohol
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, War
Minor: Miscarriage, Death of parent
The audio narration by Jeremy Irons saved this one for me, but even then I didn't like it all that much. It's dry and melancholy and takes too long to make its point; you think Sebastian is going to be the central character of the book but then he goes off and we barely hear from him again. The writing itself is quite beautiful, and there is a lot of great dialogue and characterization, so the experience of reading/listening was enjoyable, but then the story never really went anywhere. As a Catholic I could relate to what the Flyte family drew from their faith, but then the book ended up being a weird Catholic apologia that I didn't really jive with. I don't know. It was fine, but I have a hard time understanding what so many people love about it.
Jeremy Irons narrated the audiobook, which was my first attraction. It took some patience to get used to the accents and English phrases, but once deep enough into the story it was hard to put down. Sad and very real at the same time. Loved it.
Although there were glamour, riches, and success for these beautiful socialites, throughout the story you could feel there were darker times just around the corner. It was like the author was saying, “Don’t get too comfy, it gets rocky in a bit”.
The saddest part of the book is the description of how wretched and desolate an alcoholic’s demise can be. We hear,
“I suppose he doesn’t suffer?”
“Oh, yes, I think he does. One can have no idea what the suffering may be, to be maimed as he is - no dignity, no power of will”
The saddest part of the book is the description of how wretched and desolate an alcoholic’s demise can be. We hear,
“I suppose he doesn’t suffer?”
“Oh, yes, I think he does. One can have no idea what the suffering may be, to be maimed as he is - no dignity, no power of will”
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes