The Classics discussion

The End!

Whew! By the time I finished this I agreed with Cousin Jasper. That Brideshead Set was a "bad" set and ruined his life!!

I found this book difficult to get through only just having finished it. I think my problem came from the fact that there seemed to be no clear climax. There were a lot of little climaxes but I just found the story somewhat boring. Yes this family had problems and were really screwed up but even at the beginning I felt that all the action had occurred in events prior to the book.

I didn't have too much trouble getting through it, but I agree it was kind of boring. I was glad to be done. Even things that could have been exciting - his travels for his books etc. - weren't because everything revolved around the screwed up family. I think they never recovered from the split of the parents. And Charles, once sucked in, could never free himself from them. Even getting involved (romantically?) with both siblings! I wondered what Waugh's point was - why was the family so worthy of interest?

While reading, I didn't see the fathers deathbed scene as climactic at all. But according to crits I have read (since finishing) on the web, that was his point, he wanted everyone to experience divine mercy via Lord Marchmain's deathbed. Being not very religious myself, I didn't find the acceptance very believable nor did I feel supportive of the daughters decision at the end. So I'm thinking - no wonder I kept feeling the book was heavy handed!! :-)

That's an interesting point. I didn't find the family interesting so did Waugh? The most aggravating thing was that there was such opportunity here. Waugh had so many chances to make the book entertaining but instead he made everything dull.

It's not as bad as Lorna Doone but it comes awfully close.