A review by mahmabaer
Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I have learned, through the listening of this audiobook, that a good narrator can make or break one's interest in a story.  Had I been reading this book on my own, or with a less skilled voice than that of the legendary Jeremy Irons to tell me the tale, I think I would have given up on it.  I found it dry, dull, and rather unappealing.  It reminded me greatly of "The Great Gatsby", a book I have loathed since I was forced to read it in high school.  

None of the characters, save perhaps Cordelia, were characters of any real redeption, and all seemed to be satisfied to be victims of their circumstances, without much desire to improve themselves.  Charles' sexuality and the romantic language that was used between he and Sabastian did keep me intrigued, unsure of exactly what their relationship was (and in truth, I'm not sure that either the author or the characters themselves knew truly).  I found that no character had a definitive ending, especially Sabastian, who we spent the first half the story touring around with, and then he just... disappears, and suddenly our attention is turned to Julia, who, at best, had been a side charcter with little impact on the story for the first half the book.
 

My favorite character was
the charming, stuttering Anthony, with all his "Oh my de-ahs," over and over again.  I wish there had been more of him and his escapades throughout the story
.

I will say, however, Evelyn Waugh is a talented writer.  He weaves the atmosphere of smoky rooms, amber colored drinks, sunshine-drenched country roads and rolling oceans beautifully, and the atmosphere of the story was well developed.  I could easily imagine each scene as we travelled with Charles through the story.  

All in all, if you are a fan of stories with lots of elaborate entanglements and romantic language, especially as it may have taken place in the 1920s, it might be something you'd enjoy.  However, I feel I've had quite enough of the Flytes family for a lifetime.
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