Outstanding Performance of One of the Great Novels

Brideshead Revisited is Evelyn Waugh's masterpiece, and Jeremy Irons - who made his name as Charles Ryder in a British TV adaptation of the book in the early 1980s - is a superb narrator. The book has been described variously as a lament for a lost civilization and a exploration of the operation of Divine Grace in the world. It's both of those things, and more. What it is most, though, is one of the greatest of writers in English at the very top of his form, and that writing given full justice by one of the great voices of his generation.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A beautiful story beautifully read

This story left me breathless on more than one occasion with its beauty of language, its richness of metaphor, its sharpness of insight into character.
Jeremy Irons reading was sonorous and he characterised each person so well.
I also enjoyed listening to the corresponding episodes of The Circe Institute's podcast Close Reads for discussions that have me now insight and stimulated my thinking on the book.
I'm so glad I read this.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A sum of many things

"Brideshead Revisited" is a journey through the lives of the aristocratic Flyte family and their ancestral home, Brideshead. Set against the backdrop of pre-World War II Britain, It is a tale about finding ones identity amongst conflicting world- and personal views that is both enchanting and thought-provoking.

One of the novel's strengths lies in its richly drawn characters, each with their own complexities and contradictions. From the charming yet troubled Sebastian Flyte to the devoutly Catholic Lady Marchmain the entire cast of characters feel deeply human.

At the heart of the story lies the complex relationship between Sebastian Flyte and Charles Ryder. Their friendship forms the emotional core of the novel. Sebastian's magnetic personality and Charles's introspective nature create a dynamic that drives much of the narrative forward. Yet, their relationship is also fraught with tension and unspoken longing, as Charles grapples with his feelings for Sebastian amidst the societal expectations of the time. But is it Sebastian he falls for, or, the reader wonders, the *idea* of Sebastian and the magnificence of Brideshead? Their story is one of searching for a place where one belongs and the painful realization that some bonds cannot withstand the test of time.

However, while the novel's philosophical and religious themes add depth to the narrative, they may not be to everyone's taste. At times, the debates on faith and morality can feel heavy-handed, and some readers may find themselves longing for a quicker pace. Additionally, Waugh's prose, while elegant and evocative, can occasionally become long-winded, causing certain sections of the story to drag on.

Despite these minor flaws, "Brideshead Revisited" remains a timeless classic that rewards readers with its poignant insights and unforgettable settings. Overall, it's a novel that leaves a lasting impression, even if it requires a bit of patience along the way.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Absolutely brilliant!

I have seen the movie so many times and have always wanted to read the book, but could never find the time. The audio version was a real gift, and just couldn't wait to get opportunities for long periods of listening on the go.
The story is completly absorbing, the language so beautiful - like a priceless tapestry, but Jeremy Irons narration was totally GENIUS!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Wow!

Brideshead has been recommended to me for 37 years. Now I know what all the fuss is about.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

My theme is memory

What a coup for the BBC to snare Jeremy Irons, star of the 1981 TV adaptation, to revisit his role as the protagonist and narrator of Waugh's wartime masterpiece. The scenes from that incomparable drama floated through my head as he read, bringing all the magical cast back to life (Olivier, Gielgud, Claire Bloom, Jane Asher, John LeMesurier et al, like some 70s thespian super-group), not to mention the music... I can't possibly be objective about the novel itself, it is inextricably bound up with my adolescence (I first read it when the TV version was being shown) and is one of the main reasons that drew my wife and me together (we named our third son Charles Sebastian). I'd forgotten how funny it was, though, Rex's failed Catholic conversion and Antony Blanche's appearances being the comic highlights. I gave Irons' narration only four stars though because a couple of the accents jarred a bit (mostly Rex's, I'm glad Waugh didn't make him Australian), but overall he handles the large cast with aplomb (he must have picked up a lot from all those knights and dames back in the 80s). It was a treat from first to last though, I look forward to listening again in a few more years, no doubt it will resonate even more with age.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!