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Brideshead Revisited
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Readalong of Brideshead Revisited
Thanks Laura, looking forward to finally reading this!
The ITV series was absolutely beautiful. One of my favourite books ever!
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LauraT wrote: "With Terry we were thinking of reading this coming December Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh. Is anyone interested in joying in? The more the merrier!!!!!We culd in..."
I might. Let me look into availability through my library.
I want to. Can't commit at the moment, but I would like to and will try to make that happen.
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My local library doesn't have it (though it does have the DVDs of the amazing BBC/PBS miniseries) but there are many copies available through interlibrary loan. I should be able to get the book in 3-4 days after requesting it, so just let me know when you want to start!
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Sounds good to me! Are we doing this read along the same way we did The Forsyte Saga? specific chapters by certain dates?
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The book is not terribly long, so I think it could be better to read each of us at our own pace and then comments, underlining if we're writing spoilers.
But we can also divide the book in three parts and comment each one at the end of the allotted period - one week for istance.
LauraT wrote: "Shall we do the first week end in December? Say the 5th or 6th."Sounds good. I think just using spoilers with a (nonspoiler) comment saying where we are in the text so people will know when to look at it should be OK but whatever method chosen is fine by me.
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Sure! I always tend to read ahead anyway. Just got this book in my mailbox this morning! I'm excited to start reading, it's a little old hardcover book with a red cover, but no jacket. I got it online from a secondhand bookseller. It looks like it used to be a library book. I haven't read a "vintage" book in a long time.
I might join in, if I don't have many books on my plate this December. And I also have the BBC miniseries as well, so I'm up for that.
This is one of my all-time-favourites, and my copy has a special meaning to me since my mum gave me her old penguin copy, which happens to be one the first books she ever bought.
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I'll be starting it by the 3rd/4th of December...
LauraT wrote: "Great Charbel!!!I'll be starting it by the 3rd/4th of December..."
I'm in!
Have this book so I will join in too.
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I should be able to pick up a copy of this on Friday so will be ready by the 3rd or 4th to start.Glad to have Charbel & Diane S joining in :)
I wouldn't miss this. I've been meaning to retread this book.
I would like to join too; I have a lovely Everyman's Library edition that's never been read.
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I'll probably start by then...
That sounds good to me, already own a unread copy as well.
I looked at the date inside the book I have and it is 1945! The pages are yellowed and it is missing a jacket, but otherwise. the book is on good condition. I like to read used books and think about who read this before me. I kind of feel connected in a way to the previous reader.I just read the prologue and the protagonist compared being in the army for 4 years to being married for the same amount of time and realizing the mystery and adventure are gone, which calls to mind the saying "familiarity breeds contempt". I think many marriages seem that way at one time or another, then you either move on or persevere, or, you wake up the next morning and say "what was I thinking? Of course everyday life is mundane, but there is still beauty and truth in it."
Terry wrote: "I looked at the date inside the book I have and it is 1945! The pages are yellowed and it is missing a jacket, but otherwise. the book is on good condition. I like to read used books and think abou..."That's an interesting way to look at things Terry. I guess it all come down to how you perceive things in the end.
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I completely agree Terry!
Also, I often feel the same way about used books too. Back when the library used to keep cards in books and write in the names and dates books were checked out, I'd sometimes check out old books that hadn't been read in years. I'd look at the card and imagine the people who'd read it last. Exactly as you say, I'd feel connected to them somehow
I'll be starting tonight or tomorrow :)How about everyone else?
Greg wrote: "Terry wrote: "Of course everyday life is mundane, but there is still beauty and truth in it." ..."I completely agree Terry!
Also, I often feel the same way about used books too. Back when the li..."
I also looked for a library card at the back of my book! I think this used to be a library book, judging by the binding.
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How about everyone else?"
Starting it today. I don't have much time though, but I hope in the coming long week end: the 8th of December is public holiday in Italy, and I've taken a day off monday - even if I'll go to Rome to see an exhibition with a lot of pictures from the D'Orsay Museum!!!
Starting it later today.
Leslie wrote: "I'll be starting tonight or tomorrow :)How about everyone else?"
I plan to start it this afternoon.
I'll be starting it tomorrow afternoon.
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My first impression - this is not only the first time I read this particular book, but the first time I read anything by Evelyn Waugh - is of "puzzlement": he keeps starting in one point and then, remembering, go backwards, and after having started to tell something, back again somewhere - and "somewhen" - else.
I don't know if I like this or not; as long as he doesn't continue to the infinity is all right ...
I have just read the prologue and started Chapter one.I do like the writing very much, but have not an impression yet on the book itself.
LauraT wrote: "Started yesterday, just a couple of chapters.My first impression - this is not only the first time I read this particular book, but the first time I read anything by Evelyn Waugh - ..."
I remember the beginning of the book being the most puzzling part, especially if you're unfamiliar with the story as I was the first time i read the book. In fact, I always found that the tone throughout the book changes according to Charle's age in the narration, light with the younger Charles and more somber with the older Charles.
message 40:
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Terry ~ Huntress of Erudition
(last edited Dec 09, 2015 05:20PM)
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rated it 5 stars
I remember being confused watching Brideshead Revisited on Masterpiece Theatre years ago because I missed the first episode (and I was a lot younger) but as soon as I finished reading the prologue, it all makes sense to me now.
She was stripped of all enchantment now and I knew her for an uncongenial stranger to whom I had bound myself indissolubly in a moment of folly.Was anyone else left in awe by that? The mere comparison of the army to a marriage is a fascinating notion, but that one sentence is relatable to so many things that seem exciting at first but in the end present themselves as nothing but illusions.
I just finished the first chapter - I know the plot from watching the Masterpiece Theater adaptation years ago so I didn't have much confusion except for one detail. I am unclear about when the "now" part (the prologue) is supposed to be. For some reason I thought it was 1940 but the first sentence in Book One, Chap. 1 says "I had been there before; first with Sebastian more than twenty years ago..." A few paragraphs later this first visit is pinpointed to 1923. More than 20 years later would be 1944 or 45?Laura, that style isn't typical of Waugh and I believe that Charbel is right that it is mostly at the beginning. It doesn't bother me but I think that is because I tell stories (anecdotes) that way myself! Starting, then saying 'oh I should go back further' or 'let me back up a bit'.
Charbel wrote: "She was stripped of all enchantment now and I knew her for an uncongenial stranger to whom I had bound myself indissolubly in a moment of folly.Was anyone else left in awe by that? The mere compa..."
I found that section very interesting - and had a little "this is why books are better than TV/movie adaptations" moment! I think that this passage is one worth discussing later as well to see if we think Charles' attitude towards marriage and women revealed here are a result of what happens.
I did wonder if Evelyn Waugh was a misogynist (and if so, why) - the description of the "wife" is so very unflattering! And it is described in a way in which the death of love is all the woman's fault; the man is an innocent victim.
Leslie wrote: "Charbel wrote: "She was stripped of all enchantment now and I knew her for an uncongenial stranger to whom I had bound myself indissolubly in a moment of folly.Was anyone else left in awe by that..."
Yes! That part just stays with me - I thought the analogy was perfect. Not a very nice way to think of your spouse, but if you were dissatisfied, I imagine that's exactly how it would feel.
Leslie, Charles says that his relationship with army lasted 3 years, and mentions a wildly exhilarating morning in 1940 when they wrongly thought they were going to defend Calais. Since the Second World War started in 1939, and the first visit you mentioned was in 1923, I think that the beginning of the book takes place around late 1943 or early 1944. Which would agree with the "more than 20 years ago" statement.
I don't think it's so much as Waugh being a misogynist (although for all I know he could have been), as it is with something that occurs later in the book that shapes Charles' view on marriage altogether. It's very hard to explain without adding spoilers, so I'll just leave it there.
Charbel wrote: "Leslie, Charles says that his relationship with army lasted 3 years, and mentions a wildly exhilarating morning in 1940 when they wrongly thought they were going to defend Calais. Since the Second ..."Ah, good. I couldn't find where I had gotten the idea of 1940 from (well, not quickly anyway) but that must be it. It must be spring of '44 as he mentions leaving the previous location just as winter was over.
On another topic, do you think it possible that Charles' mother didn't die in WW1 but ran off with another man?
Charbel wrote: "I don't think it's so much as Waugh being a misogynist (although for all I know he could have been), as it is with something that occurs later in the book that shapes Charles' view on marriage alto..."Yes, we will have to remember to come back to this later!
message 49:
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Terry ~ Huntress of Erudition
(last edited Dec 04, 2015 10:43AM)
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Leslie wrote: "Charbel wrote: "I don't think it's so much as Waugh being a misogynist (although for all I know he could have been), as it is with something that occurs later in the book that shapes Charles' view ..."Just from what I have read from the prologue & 1st chapters, it seems that Charles has always been infatuated with Sebastian and the whole Brideshead estate and whomever he may marries in the future may not be able to live up to the mystery and adventure of being with Sebastian and his aesthetic way of life.
He seems to be looking back at the past 20 years with longing.
Leslie wrote: "Charbel wrote: "Leslie, Charles says that his relationship with army lasted 3 years, and mentions a wildly exhilarating morning in 1940 when they wrongly thought they were going to defend Calais. S..."On another topic, do you think it possible that Charles' mother didn't die in WW1 but ran off with another man?
What makes you think that?
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A Handful of Dust (other topics)Brideshead Revisited (other topics)
Brideshead Revisited (other topics)
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Evelyn Waugh (other topics)André Gide (other topics)
Evelyn Waugh (other topics)
Evelyn Waugh (other topics)
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We culd in the end of the read, see a tv series, I think by BBC, as a final treat.