Book Review: Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh

“Sometimes,” said Julia, “I feel the past and the future pressing so hard on either side that there’s no room for the present at all.”

Evelyn Waugh, Brideshead Revisited

Review:

This is a book I’ve been wanting to read for a while now, but I’ve put it off. This, unfortunately, allowed too much time to build my expectations to a point where I left little room for anything but those expectations to be met. 

The book is a reflective look back on Charles Ryder’s friendship with Sebastian Flyte and his family in the decades leading up to World War II. Charles and Sebastian are students at Oxford, and despite Sebastian’s initial efforts to keep Charles’ friendship for himself, the more he spirals into alcoholism, the more Charles gets entangled with Sebastian’s family. Julia, Sebastian’s sister, also forms a friendship with Charles. Their friendship grows complicated as the years go on, faith, spouses, and family getting in the way. 

I enjoy the idea of this book. I enjoy the themes, particularly the spiritual ones, but the writing is so dry and on the surface. I felt absolutely no connection to the characters, and in turn, didn’t find myself caring what happened to them one way or another. I’ve read another book by Evelyn Waugh in the past and I remember having the same difficulty with the style. There is a lot of telling rather than showing. I’m disappointed, but I’m hoping as it’s memory fades, the essence will remain and I’ll think back with a fonder memory. 

Likes & Dislikes:

What I liked:

• The exploration of spiritual struggles without being combative.
• Some great quotes.

What I didn’t like:

• Dry writing.
• No depth to the characters.

Afterthoughts:

I’m disappointed that I didn’t love the book, but I’m glad I read it. If I every come across the book in a thrift store I’ll likely purchase it.

Where to buy the book: