Brideshead Revisited: The Sacred and Profane Memories of Captain Charles Ryder
by Evelyn Waugh
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Book Reviews of Brideshead Revisited: The Sacred and Profane Memories of Captain Charles Ryder
Book Review: Twitch upon a thread
Summary: 5 Stars
There are several really good reviews of this book including those by Gary F. Taylor and Mary Whipple, so I'll just comment on the book as a Catholic conversion story. It has been said that "Brideshead Revisited" reflects in some sense Waugh's own conversion to Catholicism. If that is why you are interested in this book, know that it is a subtle story. On the surface Waugh paints a picture of Catholicism through the Marchmain family that is not very attractive. The Marchmain family is rather split between those who remain devout Catholics and those who are rebelling against it, and for the most part those who are rebelling are painted in the more positive light. That is rather oversimplifying it a bit because the characters are not one dimensional stereotypes. Still, it gives you a general sense of the family dynamics and the surface portrait of Catholicism, and this remains the general tone throughout the book. Don't expect some dramatic conversion to suddenly paint Catholicism as all perfect and rosy and right. It's not to be found. Yet Waugh still manages to somehow give one a sense of the power and importance of faith and grace in each of his character's lives. It is not the same for every character, and it is not a neat tidy package for any of them, yet it seems always to be there. For me, this quote from the book sums it up best:
"'I caught him with an unseen hook and an invisible line which is long enough to let him wander to the ends of the world and still to bring him back with a twitch upon the thread.'"
This is a memorable book and well worth reading.
Book Review: Buy the hard-bound edition!
Summary: 5 Stars
This brief review has two purposes. First, to encourage readers to buy the cloth-bound edition, which fits easily into the hand, has much cleaner printing than the paperback, and contains an excellent introduction by Sir Frank Kermode together with a helpful chronology, which puts Waugh into the context of contemporary writings and events. It is well worth the extra two dollars.
My second purpose is to alert readers coming to the book after seeing the recent Miramax movie, that the two are likely to be quite different experiences. The film is magnificently set, splendidly acted, and passionately dramatic; it has all the Hollywood virtues. But it almost misses the fact that Waugh's purpose was as much spiritual as secular: to demonstrate, as he put it, "the operation of divine grace upon a group of diverse but closely connected characters." You could come away from the movie thinking it was an anti-Catholic tract -- but Waugh's novel, despite its characteristic comedy, is also a profound religious statement. I develop this point in more detail in my review of the cloth-bound edition, but whichever one you buy, I highly recommend this book.
Book Review: Epic tale which examines the ties of family and religion
Summary: 4 Stars
Often considered Waugh's 'magnum opus,' this novel of epic proportions follows the conflicted Charles Ryder through his involvement with the enchanting Flyte family. After befriending Sebastian Flyte at Oxford, Charles is gradually introduced to his sisters, Julia and Cordelia; his stolid brother, Brideshead; his estranged father, Lord Marchmain; his pious mother, Lady Marchmain; and, most importantly, Brideshead, their grand estate. Over the course of the story, Charles faces varying degrees of propinquity to each member of the family as he becomes a member of the family himself. Through these relationships, he is forced to make choices concerning love, his future, and religion.
Almost a character within itself, the topic of religion is constant throughout the novel. The Flyte family's Catholicism, we come to find, is of differing importance to each family member. Charles, however, never quite comes to terms with it, resulting in an inveterate rift between the family and him.
I only assign four stars to the novel due to its prolonged nature, even at points of the story that have no consequence to Charles' self-discovery, most particularly the scene in which Charles and Sebastian are thrown in jail.
Book Review: honest look at religion
Summary: 5 Stars
Other reviewers have commented on the elements of the plot so I won't do so here.
What a great cast of characters! Each profoundly deep and profoundly real. In modern literature and pop cultural depictions, religious characters are usually one dimensional and lack empathy. It's either the 'spiritual' character who is tolerant and affirming of all or the more commonly represented by a close-minded, dogmatic individual. The depictions in Brideshead Revisited are deeper and nuanced. I would say that this book is almost a case study in Cognitive Dissonance - a concept not dwelt on nearly enough by most people. Despite their foibles and sins, the religious characters of the book maintain some semblance of faith and some desire for righteousness. We live in a time where Hypocrisy is the greatest of sins; the prescription being if you can't act out what you believe, change your beliefs. This book puts forward just the opposite solution (though the book is not preachy in the least) - maintain the faith and keep on keeping on.
Book Review: over-rated
Summary: 1 Stars
I'd first of all like to know how many of the people who gave this book positive reviews are catholics or episcopalians. I'll bet the percentage is very high. I hate stories that try to push a religious (or any other) agenda; i.e., stories with a "message." The first writer who discovers the meaning of life will be qualified to write a message novel. Until then, I wish all others would desist.
Aside from that, the writing is coy and pretentious--a sort of snob's "Rebecca," though the house, the characters and the plot in DuMaurier's novel were much more interesting. Waugh should have stuck to humor and should not have tried to create great literature, which this definitely is not; what a bore he became in his old age.