Thursday 25 July 2013

There is no mistaking a real book when one meets it. It is like falling in love - Christopher Morley

I have just finished Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited. Just this minute. This very second. I wanted to share it with you. But also to hold onto it a tad longer by writing about it immediately. And yet the moment is already slipping away…

This was the absolutely perfect book to read at the start of my holidays. A luxurious, indulgent read to soften the edges of a harsh year. And relax me into the next few weeks. Beautiful people a world away from anything I’ve ever known. And yet troubled by the same dilemmas and disturbances of any other existence. Sometimes in gigantic proportions.

I actually bought this copy of BR way back in the 1980s or thereabouts. I believe I’ve tried to read it before, but never got into it. I can’t think why. It’s a warn, yellowing book now. Featuring a young Jeremy Irons and Anthony Andrews on the cover in stills from the Granada TV adaptation. Which I vaguely recall. For the attractive young men, rather than for the story methinks.

Through the eyes of Charles Ryder, Waugh recounts the adventures – if they can thus be called – centring around Brideshead, seat of Lord Marchmain and his family. An odd, dysfunctional group. Although engaging all the same. CR is charmed as much as he is disarmed by them.

The story begins at Oxford University. CR encounters the youngest family son, Sebastian who is already manifesting traits of a troubled mind. After much circling around, Sebastian reluctantly leads him back to Brideshead. And CR is sucked into the family and their ways. From England and across Europe to North Africa.

It’s interesting – or just telling – that there are no simple, ordinary and problem-free people in BR. None. Characters sit at extremes: sly, mean, devious and crooked; lonely, sad, despairing and desperate. Manipulative. Emotional. Stifled.

And around all this hangs in the air like incense Roman Catholicism. To believe or not to believe. The rights and the wrongs of this Church. Its traditions and beliefs. And ultimately the idea that you’ll give in in the end. They all do.

Re-reading my immediate thoughts, I can’t imagine why I liked the book. I’m not making it sound very inviting. And yet there is the power of Evelyn Waugh. He has such a majestic way of writing. A mastery of language.  A smooth, engaging manner. Much like rich, dark chocolate that’s been melted. A delight to admire, a temptation impossible to resist, richness beyond belief. Waugh challenges ideas, argues points, and presents genuinely unpleasant character traits in the most inoffensive, leisurely tones. Dripping indulgence. Delightful.

I have just seen that there was a film made in 2008. I might have to see it. I’m loathe to let the BR feeling go. I wanted to finish, and yet so didn’t. That rare joy loitering in the pages of a good book. Indulging in the indulgence. What to do now? Where to go? I may need a glass of wine or two to help me move on…

8 comments:

  1. This is a book I've been thinking about reading for ages but I've not come across anyone blogging about it so I've never been quite sure. Now, thank you, you've clinched it. It's a definite read. I hope you enjoy the rest of your holidays.

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    1. Oh goodie! Please let me know what you think of it. Have a lovely summer (the perfect time to read BR!!!) :0)

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  2. I didn't really like the characters in this book, but was glad I read it. I liked your description of Catholicism hanging in the air like incense. Those hints of the pull of grace on broken lives was what kept me reading.

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    1. I know what you mean about the characters. They are gruesome, aren't they!! So grateful that Waugh can couch them in beautiful words. :0)

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  3. I don't know why I haven't read this yet. It's one of those should-reads that is always on the list but I never seem to get around to it. Your review has certainly made me more interested in getting to it sooner!

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    1. I can only encourage you to get to it, Susan! There's something so delightful about the whole thing which you'll only experience in reading it. Let me know what you think. :0)

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  4. Goodness Bookworm...your own words are much like rich dark chocolate. A very elegant review,,,though it isn't really a review is it. I very much enjoyed reading your sensual description of your feelings. I also very much enjoyed BR...though I can't precisely say why either. My own review: http://100greatestnovelsofalltimequest.blogspot.com/2013/11/brideshead-revisited-1945-by-evelyn.html

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  5. Goodness Barmy Bookworm...your own words are very much like rich dark chocolate. I thoroughly enjoyed your review...though it isn't truly a review is it? I enjoyed your sensual description of your feelings. I very much enjoyed BR as well...that I can't say precisely why. My own review: http://100greatestnovelsofalltimequest.blogspot.com/2013/11/brideshead-revisited-1945-by-evelyn.html

    If this comes through twice, feel free to delete one.

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