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A Question Of Upbringing
A Question Of Upbringing | Anthony Powell
10 posts | 14 read | 12 to read
The opening novel in Anthony Powell's brilliant twelve-novel sequence, A Dance to the Music of Time. Published in 1951, it begins the story of a trio of boys, Nicholas Jenkins (the narrator), Charles Stringham, and Peter Templer, who are friends at a nameless school (based upon Powell's public school Eton College) and then move on to different paths. A fourth figure, Kenneth Widmerpool, stands slightly apart from them, poised for greatness. The novel is concerned with the flow and transience of life and the play of time upon love and friendship. Another major theme introduced in A Question of Upbringing is the consequence of living by the will. In presenting four very different characters - "the artist, the romantic, the cynic, and the man of will" - the author sets the scene for an extended exploration of what it means to grow and mature. The language of youth, deployed with precision, is used to depict the emergence of the boys into manhood in a period when memories of the Great War overshadow many of their elders.
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Therewillbebooks
Therewillbebooks
A Question Of Upbringing | Anthony Powell
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Pickpick

Books do furnish a room

35 likes
review
Therewillbebooks
Therewillbebooks
A Question Of Upbringing | Anthony Powell
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Pickpick

New episode just posted!. “A Question of Upbringing“ is challenging too describe and even recommend broadly, but as we discuss characters, themes, and plot lines we find there is so much to enjoy and love from this 20th century classic. A rewarding read that favors a curious and patient reader. As always, thanks for listening and supporting us. Enjoy!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4lRhur5LEnNqWmkjxvcCOj

32 likes
review
AshleyHoss820
AshleyHoss820
A Question Of Upbringing | Anthony Powell
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Pickpick

This is one of those books you settle into. It takes you on a leisurely float through Jenkins‘ life and the intricacies of human relationships. I wish I could pinpoint exactly what it is that puts this book in my favor but excellent books resist paraphrasing. I‘m looking forward to the next! (1 of 12) #1001Books

25 likes
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Cuilin
Cuilin
A Question Of Upbringing | Anthony Powell
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Pickpick

I‘m struggling to describe why I enjoyed this but I truly did. There‘s zero plot. It‘s rather like being a nosy fly on the wall, present at conversations you have no concern in. The writing is incredible and if you like between the wars time period this is perfect. On to book two.

Ruthiella I loved this series! 😀 3y
Cuilin @Ruthiella you‘ll have to help me articulate why it‘s so enjoyable. Lol. 3y
Ruthiella @Cuilin I‘ll try. 😆 As the dance goes on, certain people continue to pass in and out of Nick‘s life while he remains just outside...he never gives away a whole lot about himself. But watch out for Widmerpool! 3y
Cuilin @Ruthiella Widmerpool, noted. I started book two today. 3y
56 likes1 stack add4 comments
quote
twohectobooks
twohectobooks
A Question Of Upbringing | Anthony Powell
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#quotsynov19 #bonfire
For some reason, the sight of snow descending on fire always makes me think of the ancient world—legionaries in sheepskin warming themselves at a brazier; mountain altars where offerings glow between wintry pillars; centaurs with torches cantering beside a frozen sea—scattered, uncoordinated shapes from a fabulous past, infinitely removed from life; & yet bringing with them memories of things real and imagined.

tagged users iconTK-421
twohectobooks Found this photo online! 4y
Kimberlone I love this quote! There is something about snow that makes the surroundings feel otherworldly. It can cover and hide things that are unseemly or remind you of the present world 4y
TK-421 Beautiful ❤️ 4y
15 likes3 comments
review
Booksnchill
Booksnchill
A Question Of Upbringing | Anthony Powell
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Pickpick

A goal for 2019 is to read all 12 Volumes of the “Dance” - one each month. This is January and the 1st movement “A Question of Upbringing” taking Nicholas Jenkins from his public school (British, Boys, Boarding) up to University. He and his friends are well described- Powell has a genius for giving you all you need to know to define the characters through the smallest details. A bit Wodehouse, a bit Waugh and a nod to Proust. Loved V.1 4.5🌟

Louise Do the 12 volumes reference only the months or does the author bring in the 12 keys in music too? 5y
Booksnchill @Louise i am not well versed enough yet to know much. I know the “Dance” is a reference to the Poussin painting “A Dance to the Music of Time” and the various movements follow a timeline from school age in 1921 through to the final volume “Hearing Secret Harmonies” in 1971. Hope that is somewhat helpful🙂 5y
batsy I've been wanting to read the Powell books, too. Great idea for a year-long project! 5y
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Booksnchill @batsy i was inspired by the podcast “Backlisted” and if you haven‘t listened to it I can‘t recommend it highly enough. Usually great and perhaps forgotten backlist reads. This was the final podcast of 2018 and they focused on the 10th book “Books do furnish a room”. The guest was Hilary Spurling who just published her biography of Powell and who did the guide to the “Dance” pictured above at Powell‘s request. (edited) 5y
Leftcoastzen I‘ve almost started to read these a bunch of times. 5y
Louise Sounds really interesting. I think I‘ll check out the podcast about it! 5y
batsy I love Backlisted! I'm not much of a podcast person so I tend to fall behind, but that's one of the few I love. Thank you for mentioning which episode; I'll have a listen ❤️ 5y
Booksnchill @batsy for me it is the only podcast I am completely caught up on!!🤣 5y
Booksnchill @Leftcoastzen i think I bought the first Movement (bound first 3 volumes) 15 years ago🤭 5y
73 likes4 stack adds9 comments
blurb
Booksnchill
Booksnchill
A Question Of Upbringing | Anthony Powell
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This is the year I read the 12 volumes of The Dance- one for each month. January- “A Question of Upbringing” - boarding school. Liking it so far. Inspired by the podcast “Backlisted” all about great backlisted books. Challenge accepted!

69 likes2 stack adds
review
twohectobooks
twohectobooks
A Question Of Upbringing | Anthony Powell
Pickpick

This was a pretty enjoyable coming of age story with a lot of allusions to the ELEVEN BOOKS that come after it.

2 likes
blurb
twohectobooks
twohectobooks
A Question Of Upbringing | Anthony Powell
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My next #ModernLibraryTop100 book that I just picked up from the #library. Hoping this TWELVE BOOK SERIES is either so bad I can abandon it after the first book, or so good that I don't want to.

4 likes
review
Minervasbutler
Minervasbutler
A Question Of Upbringing | Anthony Powell
Pickpick

Fourth reread of the Dance. Funnier than I remember this time around