Brideshead Revisited (Abridged) Audiobook

" Between WWI and WWII a wealthy British Catholic family who seem distant from one another and yet tied together through their sporadic dips into their faith. The narrator loves first Sebastian then his sister Julia but can never be truly part of them because of his inability to take "the leap." "

" Starts of as a hilarious description of the young, rudderless and rich. But as he grows up, it becomes not so much fun (even if it is supposed to show growth). "

" ah.. Charles Ryder "

" It took me a looooong time to get into this story - the main character who seems totally nondescript becomes obsessed with this freak Sebastian who carries a teddy bear around and everyone just sits around drinking all day - I did not see the appeal. But about 1/3 of the way through the book, I started to really get into it. It's slow moving but compelling in its own way. Not sure I see all the deeper themes and messages other people seem to see in it, but a book worth reading for sure. "

" good book, but not for everyone. "

" Belongs on the shelf between The Great Gatsby and A Separate Peace. I can't believe I never read it in school. Also, the images of the decline of the British aristocracy in the early 20th century will make all the Downton fans drool. "

" Beautifully written, the style carries the era of the story and makes this work timeless. A perfect book for the mid-winter doldrums:) "

" Good book! I enjoyed the characters and the whole feel of pre-war England. I read it quite easily and quickly and I really liked the way the Marchmain characters were built up to be vapid and shallow and utterly consumering, and the way Charles grew out of them. I also appreciated the choice words about religion and its relevance (or lack thereof). Definitely a book I'd reread! "

" For 300 pages, I was unimpressed and a little bored. Then the last 15 made me angry and sad at what happens and then full of feeling for the ending. Which, I guess, means he did a good enough job of making me care, and that's probably all that should matter. "

" Fabulous book about faith, love, and redemption. "

" I saw the miniseries, then read the book. I had absolutely no patience with the movie. The depth and texture of this book cannot be so limited. Also, the movie was very poorly cast. "

" well that was depressing "

" Highly recommend. Great pacing, covers a wide and varied territory of themes. Sad to leave this novel. "

" Unmissable "

" The seduction of well-written prose and our voyeaurism into the lives of old British nobility--all here. But with an edge since Waugh is also chronicling the decay. "

" In my journey through country house literature, I definitely liked this. It is beautifully written and has exceptional language. I found its plot much more exciting than other static country house novels. "

" Interesting subject matter, beautifully written, hard to put down. "

" I found this book to be as powerful and satisfying rereading it at 55 as I originally found it to be at 25, though for different reasons. Touching, funny, tragic and thought provoking. "

" Even though there was not a single happy moment in the entire novel, I actually really enjoyed this book. The entire thing is solemn and sad, but it's touching and honest all the same. I greatly enjoyed listening to it. (It didn't hurt that the audiobook I have is read by Jeremy Northam.) "

" I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Jeremy Irons. I didn't love it but I liked it, as a portrait of another era. I liked the characters, especially Anthony Blanche. It was rather sad to read about these people. It had some humorous moments, especially Charles' father was a hoot. "

" Loved the first 3rd which captured these young men in college so brilliantly and with such poetic writing. After that, it seemed like a totally different book. "

" Not my cup of tea and crumpets. Do I care about any of these characters? No. And why is everyone converting to Catholicism at the end? Had to been there, I guess. "

" Bertie Wooster meets Jay Gatsby. "

" Es un buen libro, pero es el tercero que leo este año sobre la alta sociedad británica y a estar un pelín saturado del tema. "

" The start of "late" Waugh, which is apparently is an acquired taste. Waugh now adds deeper meaning (which I confessed I missed on first reading) to his nasty satire. "

" This was a wonderful, beautiful book. The prose was lovely, and it had a fascinating sense of atmosphere and nostalgia. I would recommend this for anyone. "

" Audio version is read by Jeremy Irons who is excellent as a narrator. He does an outstanding jobs with the different voices. "