To respect member's privacy and keep things awesome, most of Litsy is hidden from Google. We let humans see and share pages, but not machines. Find out more.
KAOI also really enjoyed this book—until the ending! So bizarre! Thank you for leading the way through this one!(edited) 2d
RuthiellaThe ending can be considered a happy one because Julia and Charles have found their faith, which is (for some) richer than any earthly romantic or marital tie. This is what the Christian focused podcast “Close Reads” pointed out. Thanks@Daisey for bringing the podcast to my attention. I certainly would not have picked up on the conversion undercurrent on my own.(edited) 2d
Cuilin@Ruthiella Agree. I think the “forerunner” talk is about Charles‘ journey to catholicism. That is really what the book is about. Waugh himself described it as an operation of Devine Grace between connected characters. It was wonderful reading it with everybody. Thank you.@BarkingMadRead1d
lil1inblue@Cuilin@ruthiella I think that's why I found the book so fascinating. I wasn't raised in any religion, so a lot of it is outside my personal understanding. This gave me a different perspective of faith.1d
willafulI found the ending sad. Like so many jerk men, apparently, Charles finally realizes he missed a chance to know his children. (Or at least his son. 🙄 )
If the point of the story was that Charles was missing some part of humanity because he hadn't found faith, phooey I say.1d
Clare-Dragonfly@Ruthiella Charles has found religion? I don‘t get that at ALL. I guess he does talk to Nanny and go to the chapel in the epilogue…?1d
Clare-DragonflyI thought it was more about Brideshead, the place, and how it‘s changing so much and going away and that‘s sad.1d
Crinoline_LaphroaigDid this have some beautifull crafted prose? Yes. Did I care about any of the characters? No. Put this in the category of 'it's a classic, I've read it, now I never have to again.' To be honest I actually skimmed, read a synopsis, and then read the ending a few days ago just to be done with it.
1d
kwmg40Like@lil1inblue, I wasn't raised in any religion, so I too find books examining faith interesting. Loved the beautiful prose, the characters not so much. Thanks@BarkingMadRead for hosting!1d
ElizaMarieI feel like the ending gives us a little bit of hope. With Charles having found his faith and being back at Brideshead, he has an opportunity to be serene and work at Brideshead (I think his true love).13h
mcctrish@willaful the whole story is sad, ending with the futility of war, lost chances with children and missed opportunities with friends and lovers5h
If the point of the story was that Charles was missing some part of humanity because he hadn't found faith, phooey I say. 1d
1d