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The modern classic “Brideshead Revisited�� has left my brain in a knot. I feel as if I jumped on a rollercoaster that I wasn’t tall enough to ride. The book had a complicated plot with several different themes and ideas that tended to contradict themselves. Controversial matters such as religion, drugs, and homosexuality were things rooted in the plot that I was not expecting nor really wanting to spend my free time reading about.

The book is narrated in first person by a man name Charles Ryder, a very artistically minded individual in the 1940’s. Charles tells his story with great imagery and detail whether it’s food, location or a person, his descriptive words cater to all five senses. A majority of the book is a flashback into his youthful days at Oxford University. Charles recalls his youth as “Arcadia��, or heaven, throughout the book and would often rant on about his lazy and carefree days at the University with Sebastian, his beautiful, wealthy, well known, best friend and implied love. Charles makes this theme of youthfulness appealing with his vivid and elaborate memory.

The theme of religion was also present through out the book. I feel that Waugh had a hidden agenda of promoting Catholicism, yet at the same time created opportunities for the reader to interpret the opposite idea when religion seemed to bring out the worst outcome in every character’s situation. Waugh is a master of contrast, highlighting both extremes in every controversial matter portrayed in the story. The author attempted to discuss these serious matters with a mocking humor, making the novel similar to a satire.

“She so much resembled Sebastian that, sitting beside her in the gathering dusk, I was confused by the double illusion of familiarity and strangeness. Thus, looking through strong lenses one may watch a man approaching from afar, study every detail of his face and clothes, believe one has only to put out a hand to touch him, marvel that he does not hear one, and look up as one moves, and then seeing him with the naked eye suddenly remember that one is to him a distant speck, doubtfully human. I knew her and she did not know me (chapter 3)��. This quote is Charles speaking when he sees Julia, Sebastian’s sister. He is attracted her because of all the physical resemblances she has with Sebastian. It is implied that the desire he is feeling looking at Julia is misplaced and actually for her brother Sebastian. I thought it was interesting that this book had so many gay references because I figure at the time this book was published, homosexuality was not openly discussed or accepted as it is today. Although the author is not actually promoting the gay content, there is no hint of disapproval either.

I feel like this book had a lot of potential, but for me I was never hooked. I enjoyed the relatable themes such as youth and religion, but the overall plot wasn’t my cup of tea. However, I was very interested in the time period of World War 2 that took place in the novel which has inspired me to look into different books relative to that era like “Loving�� by Henry Green. Overall I think Evelyn Waugh is a talented writer, I just wish I didn’t get on his rollercoaster.