Sophia C. reviewed on 1/10/2012 + 289 more book reviews

Brideshead Revisited is a charming, lyrical novel. The title evokes a strong sense of place, but that is really only a trigger for the story which focuses on an aristocratic English family. Charles Ryder is billeted at the Brideshead estate during WWII, urging him to reminisce about his association with the Marchmain family who owns it. Starting with his friendship with Sebastian at Oxford, Charles' life is linked with this Roman Catholic family from the 1920s until the start of WWII. Charles is an intelligent narrator through this story where Catholicism and the decline of the aristocratic class play prominent roles. Evelyn Waugh's language is elegant, precise, and moves the story along. This was a wonderful read on the list of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die.

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