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taleofcherub · 1 year ago

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BRIDESHEAD REVISITED BY EVELYN WAUGH

Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh is a captivating novel that delves into the complexities of love, faith, and nostalgia. Set in the early 20th century, the story follows Charles Ryder, a young man from a middle-class background who becomes entangled with the aristocratic Flyte family.

At its core, "Brideshead Revisited" is a story about the passage of time and the inevitability of change. Through Charles' eyes, we witness the decline of the Flyte family and their ancestral home, Brideshead Castle, mirroring the broader changes happening in society.

Or maybe in a shorter way to say it: it was a saltburn x bunny by mona awad if it was in a british posh aesthetic.

My only hesitation lies in the fact that this isn't a perfectly smooth narrative; at times, it feels like a rollercoaster ride—a clever yet indulgent display of perpetual whims, with occasional unexpected twists and turns. Chapters begin abruptly, with little preamble, such as when the focus suddenly shifts to Julia, who previously played a sporadic and somewhat mysterious role in Sebastian's story. Despite the exquisite writing, the story's structure sometimes relies on rough transitions and juxtaposed scenes and moods, rather than following a clear direction. It often feels like a series of fleeting snapshots, including our protagonist's exploration of sexuality and relationships, which adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. One moment we're in France, the next in Morocco.

Alas, the pacing may seem unusual, yet it is subtly suggested in the subtitle: "The Sacred & Profane Memories of Captain Charles Ryder." Memories are depicted as erratic, often incomplete and subjective.

Smart book, big topics. 3.5 stars out of 5!

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taleofcherub · 1 year ago

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The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

The Covenant of water is a captivating and poignant novel it explores the themes of Family Faith and fate through the lens of a malayali Christian family living in Kerala India. The novel spans over 7 decades from 1900 to 1977 and follows the lives of three generations of the peram bill family who are afflicted by a mysterious condition that causes them to drown in water.

The novel begins with the arranged marriage of a 12-year-old girl big aachi to a 40-year-old widower who owns a large estate in carala. She soon learns that her husband's family is cursed by the condition and that her stepson JoJo is the latest victim she vows to protect her own children baby mole and philippos from the same fate but finds it difficult to balance her fears with her husband's wishes. She also struggles to adapt to the changing times as India undergos colonial rule Independence and social upheaval.

The novel then shifts to the perspectives of Baby Mol and Philipose who grow up in different worlds. Baby Mol marries a British officer and moves to England where she faces racism, loneliness, and betrayal. While Philipose becomes a doctor and stays in India where he Witnesses the horrors of war, famine and disease. He also falls in love with a woman who shares his condition, but their relationship is fraught with secrets and tragedy both siblings are haunted by their family's past and their own choices and seek redemption in different ways.

The novel ends with a surprising twist that reveals the origin and meaning of the condition and how how it connects the parambil family to a larger history and destiny. The novel is Rich with historical and cultural details as well as vivid descriptions of Kerala’s landscape and people. Verg’s Prose is lyrical and engaging and his characters are complex and sympathetic.

The Covenant of water is a powerful and moving story that explores the bonds of blood and water and the resilience of the human spirit.

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