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Paula Byrne - Mad World: Evelyn Waugh and the Secrets of Brideshead
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I hope that everyone enjoys this book as much as I did. I found it quite engaging and not at all studious or overly reverential of Waugh. To me this read more like a novel, and was never weighted down by inconsequetial facts about the author. Waugh's life makes for great reading, and though it enhances your appreciation of this work if you've read Waugh, it certainly isn't a prerequisite.
I'll just agree with Ivan. I read it over the summer and just loved it. I hope everyone enjoys it too. :)
Thanks Ivan for stating that Waugh's works are not necessarily prerequisites to reading this book. I was beginning to wonder if I should have first read Brideshead Revisited. This reading is definitely sparking my interest in Brideshead and the character Charles Ryder.
I actually liked reading it first, and then reading a bunch of Waugh's books because I knew better where certain things came from. I liked that. :)
Mod
I agree Bronwyn - I think that this bio takes an interesting sideways view of the author via one of his most famous characters. I haven't read Brideshead (yet) but I'm certainly going to pick it up soon.
In a similar way, I got far more out of my readings of the Mitford novels via their biographies and In general I get a lot more out of my fiction reading from this period from my non-fiction reads of the 'life and times' - even from seemingly non-related topics such as the war or the economy. I love that we've added this new category!
Ally
Me too. More than anything, I liked that this wasn't one of those two ton biographies filled to overflowing with every single bit of information the author unearthed about his/her subject. Frankly, no one wants to read about every meal eaten, every letter written, or even every sex act....it all becomes somehow monotonous and mind numbing. Honestly, once the book is closed who would ever remember all these mundane details. Thankfully, these are just the sort of entries Byrne refuses to include....thank you, thank you, thank you. Thus this "biography" reads like a novel and is great fun to read.
I do hope that more people pop up here to discuss this terrific book.
Mod
Does this book make you think differently about Waugh?
Ally
It did. I can't think of anything particular off the top of my head though. I went in wanting to read the book because I like his books, but I was a bit worried that I wouldn't like him himself. But that wasn't the case at all. I guess I can see bits, like his rejecting Diana Guiness after the baby was born and he wanted her to himself, but who doesn't have streaks sort of like that. It made me understand those moments much better and much more sympathetically than might've.
I'll admit that this is the only book about Waugh I've read. So, though I had heard (or read somewhere) about his being a cynical curmudgeon, I had no examples to reference. Byrne's book certainly throws light on aspects of his character and what shaped his persona. His father and brother were overachievers, and then to compete in college against such great wits and personalities as Harold Acton, Brian Howard and Stephen Tennant for pride of place. It was very interesting to me that he dveloped a pattern of attaching himself to entire families - like the Lygons.
Just started Mad World, and it's amazing! Thanks for the recommendation.......love this group :)
Mod
I love that you're enjoying this group! long may it continue! x
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Ally