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sidharthan 's review for:
Brideshead Revisited
by Evelyn Waugh
I had very little expectations from this book when it started with a war. I thought it would one of those books that are war-centered and I thought there wouldn't be that much queer content, but boy was I wrong!
The first thing I loved about this book is the general tone of the whole novel. This might be some colonialism on my part, but I love these old British novels about rich people. They have no real problems, so they make their own! And there is just something about their attitude towards life - where a fashion faux pas or saying the wrong thing at the wrong place is the literal worst thing that someone can do - there's something about that I find quite enjoyable. This book is also written very well. There were lots of these descriptions that were truly captivating.
I was also surprised by how openly queer some of the characters were. Although the story pivots to being about a straight couple and religion, it did not invalidate the queerness of the key characters. The principle character still acknowledges his love for another man, even after falling for women afterwards. There was something very refreshing about this and about the air of gay life that was introduced by another openly queer character, Anthony. Perhaps these portions would have reinforced stereotypes from the time, but as a reader now I found them entertaining.
I would say though the main theme of this book is religion and how having a strict religious upbringing can affect you throughout your life. I loved that this was explored in detail through the various character arcs. It felt a little inconclusive in its exploration, but I was satisfied with the arguments.
Overall, a really surprising good read!
The first thing I loved about this book is the general tone of the whole novel. This might be some colonialism on my part, but I love these old British novels about rich people. They have no real problems, so they make their own! And there is just something about their attitude towards life - where a fashion faux pas or saying the wrong thing at the wrong place is the literal worst thing that someone can do - there's something about that I find quite enjoyable. This book is also written very well. There were lots of these descriptions that were truly captivating.
I was also surprised by how openly queer some of the characters were. Although the story pivots to being about a straight couple and religion, it did not invalidate the queerness of the key characters. The principle character still acknowledges his love for another man, even after falling for women afterwards. There was something very refreshing about this and about the air of gay life that was introduced by another openly queer character, Anthony. Perhaps these portions would have reinforced stereotypes from the time, but as a reader now I found them entertaining.
I would say though the main theme of this book is religion and how having a strict religious upbringing can affect you throughout your life. I loved that this was explored in detail through the various character arcs. It felt a little inconclusive in its exploration, but I was satisfied with the arguments.
Overall, a really surprising good read!