Reading List Completists discussion

Discuss the October 2021 Completist selection here

I’m about half way through. I never saw the famed Jeremy Irons TV series. I’m enjoying so far but not overwhelmed. I just read a little about Evelyn Waugh and he seemed to be a nasty person. Also a big Catholic which obviously is one of the books slants. Well written for sure - feel oddly detached from characters - but am getting more involved in story. Want to revisit TV series.

I have gotten more into book now almost three quarters through - the characters have come to life - and you can tell the folks that Waugh doesn’t like!

Brooklyn wrote: "I have gotten more into book now almost three quarters through - the characters have come to life - and you can tell the folks that Waugh doesn’t like!"

Are you reading or listening? I am planning to do an audiobook as it is the best way to get books in right now during my slump . . .

I’m reading - I hardly ever listen to a book - 20 minutes a day - sometimes more

I’m sure they got somebody good to narrate

Brooklyn wrote: "I’m sure they got somebody good to narrate"

I will report back! :)

Just finished - was definitely a classic and well written. Slightly at odds with the religious overtones though could deal with it as spiritual. Waugh is too good a writer to be bogged down in solely religious debate. I see the story as a story of grace and redemption - and an elegy for a lost past destroyed by the War and the philistine Rex and Hoopers of the world. There are some magnificent passages of gorgeous writing- stand alone - Julia’s rant on her sin- Lord Marchmain’s death bed soliloquy- Charles passage at the beginning of part II on time. Glad I read. Charles is in love and the book focuses on Sebastian for the first half - and then Julia for the second half. Sebastian’s denouement is especially touching. Waugh is sensitive and expert at detailing the tortured souls of Brideshead - and certainly gives everyone their due good and bad.

BYW Jeremy Irons reads the audiobook (the original Charles Ryder in 1981 TV series) so it should be great.

I have this on request but it estimates 10 weeks, which means maybe in 2 months I'll be able to read this!

I finished it months ago and just finally wrote my review - that should tell you how the last few months have been going for me.

Here is the link - it is shorter than I usually write but that is mainly because I couldn't do a review or the book much justice with a long review this long after finishing it!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...