Select language, opens an overlay

Comment

Nov 30, 2016ba_library rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I saw the miniseries and thought I need to read the book! The book is beautifully written, but didn't really provide many answers for me. Evelyn Waugh (a man) was married, converted to Roman Catholicism, divorced, remarried, traveled the world (South America, Africa). So, I think much of the story is based on his personal life and experience. I am not Catholic, so do not really understand all the Catholic guilt involved in the story. Everyone loved Sebastian because he was "charming." Charles eventually marries his sister Julia because she reminded him of Sebastian. Charles states, he loved Sebastian because he was the forerunner. The forerunner of what I am not sure, perhaps the beauty and innocence of youth in an era that was sort of falling apart. As a reader, I think we all love Sebastian and to see him fall apart and waste away is disturbing, even though he still firmly believed in his God and his religion. Charles just seems to be along for the ride in this tale of death, decay and destruction and like most of the story characters longing for the days of youth, frivolity, beauty, and innocence.