Evelyn Waugh, revisited: life beyond Brideshead
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- čas přidán 10. 05. 2018
- One of the lasting luxuries of the literary life is that of rereading old faves. BRIDESHEAD REVISITED is justly regarded as Evelyn Waugh's chef d'oeuvre; but to leave it at that would be a gross disservice to writer and reader alike. Of such other jewels as SCOOP, VILE BODIES and THE LOVED ONE, the last shall be first: a mordant comedy, centred about an elaborate funeral home for Hollywood's rich and famous, and a cemetery for pets. The ineffable Mr. Joyboy, embalmer extraordinaire, and his crematorium cosmetician find their love life complicated by the arrival of a young English poet. Devilish funny, as Wodehouse might say.
In the meantime, for those sufficiently curious to investigate the author himself, there is no biography better than Selina Hastings' EVELYN WAUGH, her 700-page magnum opus, which has yet to be superseded. And for the BRIDESHEAD fanatic, consider Jane Mulvagh's MADRESFIELD: THE REAL BRIDESHEAD, which, unlike Castle Howard, where the famous TV series was shot, was the handsome home that inspired the book in the first place.
Madresfield Court, in the Malvern hills of Worcestershire, has been the elegant home of the Lygon family for nine hundred, uninterrupted years and almost thirty generations. Moated, turreted and sporting a hundred and sixty rooms (Knole in Kent has twice that, for those in any doubt), this noble building, which played a large part in his youth, served as the author's model for BRIDESHEAD, as did the Lygons themselves, reflected in the doomed Marchmain family as a whole.
Evelyn Waugh is waiting to be rediscovered. So is his sense of humour, so often overlooked.
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I so agree: though I was riveted to the PBS version of Brideshead, I fell in love even more with the novel. For whatever reason, I thought the book would be enormous (think War and Peace). Imagine my surprise when I discovered otherwise. I read the novel when I was a very young (and impressionable) man. I should return to see what I might find there all these years later.
Love Brideshead! Just the best!
Waugh was completely first class….the prose outstanding…..I recommend reading his diaries as well as the Hastings book…..a hallmark of excellence….🇬🇧
What a great video!
I have that edition! Am still impressed that the Granada TV series skillfully echoed the book.
I have not read “Brideshead Revisited” or “Madresfield” but will have to do so. My mother is a descendant of Virginia immigrant Col. Thomas Ligon who was the great grandson of Sir William Lygon of Madresfield Court and Eleanor Dennis. The Ligons of America hold regular reunions and every 10 years are hosted at Madresfield by Lady Rosalind Morrison, niece of the 8th Earl Beauchamp, last member of the family to hold the title, who is a member of our family organization as well.
My Grandmother from my Dad's side connects to Thomas Ligon and Mary Harris through their daughter Johanna onto the Hancock's/Moseley's and through the tree line, even if the connection is that of a portion of a little toe genetically speaking. Interesting to see many families including the Ligon's from Virginia carrying familial connection with the old world. Presently doing genealogical research on this connection and glad to see someone shed further light on the family today in the comments. Beyond that, might have to dig into some of the books listed in the video.
@@snoozeyoulose9416 Hello cousin. There seems to be a lot of us from the Ligon family!
@@steveriggan8944 Yes, hello to you too cousin!
Absolutely lovely
I read 'Decline and Fall' and loved it. Very funny.
Dear Mr Hoare, congratulations. What a delightful video. Is this your own personal library? If so, I am consumed with envy. I doubt whether it is for sale, but just in case I have sent my left arm in the mail in hopes you may consider it as a down payment. More seriously, please keep up the good work.
“Brideshead” is one of the few Waugh novels I have not read. Not sure why...
Cupolas is pronounced kewpolars…..not a criticism by any means…🇬🇧