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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
A great book of WASP Ryder subsumed into a Catholic aristocratic English family in the intra war years. The character of Sebastian is a true literary great, but he fades into the background. As Sebastian predicts his friend Charles is stolen from him by his family. Explorations of Catholicism are interesting in it's no compromise lifestyle versus the do what you want to do.
The start of the book is great, but it fades a bit. Charles' marriage seems incompatible with how his character could ever get into this relationship, but I guess it serves as a plot device.
The start of the book is great, but it fades a bit. Charles' marriage seems incompatible with how his character could ever get into this relationship, but I guess it serves as a plot device.
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While there are many things I disliked about the characters and their habits, it was beautifully written. I struggled whenever the Catholicism came up as it felt so out of place with the rest of the story. Especially near the end.
But everything was very vivid and I loved Sebastian and Cordelia. There were even times I loved Julia. Charles not so much.
But everything was very vivid and I loved Sebastian and Cordelia. There were even times I loved Julia. Charles not so much.
Timing was perfect for this book. I was traveling across Europe - through Venice and Milan, so some of the travel parts really touched a chord.
Probably one of the greatest books ever written. Definitely changed the trajectory of my life. No notes.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
The first 80 pages I was sceptical, after that I was sold.
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I expected to like this more. But I need to sympathize with the main character, and even before he literally forgot the existence of his child and called her “it,” then abandoned his wife and children, I felt there was something off about him. He’s the narrator but he never says how he’s feeling, he seems to hardly ever speak, but just observes life from afar, judging everyone. The only time he expresses an opinion or involves himself in the story, it’s wrong. When Sebastian’s family is trying to keep him sober, Charles gives him money and covers for him while he goes drinking, all the while looking down on Sebastian’s family for trying to help him. When Marchmain decides to disinherit his older son, Charles says nothing. And the Marchmains do religion wrong; they act like the main tenant of Catholicism is to not divorce, but they seem to have no problem with adultery. I didn’t sympathize with any of them either, aside from poor Sebastian. The homosexual relationship between Charles and Sebastian was more than implied, such that when Charles shacked up with Julia, all I could think was that he’s slept with her brother! She seems to be aware and not disturbed by it but I thought it pretty awkward.
I’d love to chat with the author because I think he was trying to make a point here, or perhaps several points, but I didn’t manage to understand any of them. The only thing I got was that Sebastian’s turmoil, depression, and alcoholism is probably caused by his Catholic guilt over being homosexual. And through all of it I’m not sure how the author feels about religion. He seemed ambivalent but balance tipping towards “against.” Which is how I felt about this book.
I’d love to chat with the author because I think he was trying to make a point here, or perhaps several points, but I didn’t manage to understand any of them. The only thing I got was that Sebastian’s turmoil, depression, and alcoholism is probably caused by his Catholic guilt over being homosexual. And through all of it I’m not sure how the author feels about religion. He seemed ambivalent but balance tipping towards “against.” Which is how I felt about this book.