After over a month I have finally concluded ‘Brideshead Revisited’. I think I read it at the wrong time and thats why it took me so long, it was slow-paced with a lot to digest (not ideal for assessment season) but once out of that period I finished the book quite swiftly. ‘Brideshead Revisited’ is a very nostalgic tale. I found it similar to the beautiful first half of McEwan’s ‘Atonement’ in style, with relationships I see similarities to in ‘The Secret History’ but also somewhat Austenian in its prose and feel, hence it came to be a very family read. 

‘Brideshead Revisited’ focusses on how Charles Ryder becomes infatuated and intertwined in the lives of the Marchaim family, first with their alcoholic son Sebastian and later his sister Julia. He places himself in the centre of the lives of a decaying aristocratic class during the interwar years. I did very much enjoy the scenes taking place abroad in Venice, and the general setting and feel was gorgeous. Waugh’s prose is also commendable, though will note for far too long the heir of Brideshead Castle being named Brideshead or ‘Bridey’ was quite confusing.