Full term: A novel

A Staircase in Surrey #5

by J. I. M Stewart

The final volume in the 'A Staircase in Surrey' quintet. Duncan Pattullo is coming to the end of his term as 'narrator' and is thinking of re-marrying, although his former wife continues to cause difficulties. His intended is also providing gossip for the college, but that is as nothing compared to the scandal caused by Watershute, an eminent nuclear physicist. His misdemeanours range from abandoning his family and conducting an affair in Venice, to being drunk at High Table. However, things get very serious when he appears to be involved in activities that might amount to treason. An interesting and convoluted plot, which is a fitting end to this acclaimed series, is carried forward with J.I.M. Stewart's hallmark skill and wit. Full Term can be read in order, or as a standalone novel.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winds up the quintet, some things resolved and others not really. As ever, captures the atmosphere of Oxford and a certain grasping at the swiftly disappearing experience very well. Duncan remains in residence, on his old staircase but not his own old room: a friend from his past reappears and they are able to revisit both places and friendship, with brief expeditions to Italy and Scotland, in all cases laying past ghosts. Both of Duncan's love interests are resolved but not exactly as he might have hoped, and it seems that his godson will take the place of the children he might have had. The spy story is quite funny. This came out in the late 1970s, and catches the feel of the time but without being too specific, and with quite a lot of harking back to an earlier time (there may be less difference between the late 40s/early 50s and the late 70s than there would be, say, between the late 70s/early 80s and another 30 years on). All more or less resolved except for the story of the undergraduate Peter and his friend, who having been present at the accident are never seen again, which is a bit odd.

[Blaise Carland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as strong as the first 4. Lots of wrapping up with leaps that could have done with some more explanation. Still solid.

I like this “genre”. Meaning English middle/upper class in the mid 20th century. It’s an alien time with an alien race and I find it fascinating.

I started with CP Snow’s Stranger’s and Brothers, graduated to Anthony Powell’s Dance, and now the Staircase in Surrey. Staircase i’d put somewhat closer to the the Dance but with a hyper focus on Oxford. I would have read more if there was more.

I also picked up and enjoyed William Boyd’s Any Human Heart which I quite liked. Similar but a little cruder.

When reading Goodreads reviews for Staircase I heard about another series called Alms for Oblivion by Simon Raven. Just picked up an omnibus of the first 3. We’ll see what’s up that.