The sacred and profane memories of Captain Charles Ryder

I have had this book recommended over the years several times. Just recently, I decided that it was finally time to read it. There are many layers to the characterizations in this novel. This is the kind of book that needs to be "revisited" many times, as the title implies. In the end, there is indeed redemption for Charles. In the end, there is the promise of redemption for all of us. I will be thinking about this book for many years to come.

The characters were generally not likeable; however, it was a different time and place and the characters may have been typical of their time. I wondered how the "lower" classes were surviving the war and the hardships. I know that people who were considered "upper" class also suffered at that time. Waugh was a product of his class and the times

Love the book, love this edition, don't really love the glue they use to tape on horrible 'movie tie-in' dust jackets. But, alas, finding a used hardcover of Brideshead is not as easy as one might think.

Some have said that, in a successful novel, the reader has to care about the characters. I can't honestly say I cared about anyone in this curious book. I found Charles to be inarticulate and almost everyone else to be annoying. The only character who appeared to have much of a brain was Cordelia, who had a backbone and a heart. She told the truth. Everyone else deluded themselves. Waugh, and his overuse of commas, simply hints at motives. I don't think even he liked these characters much; certainly not enough to raise the curtain on what was going on. Sebastian simply disappears, he doesn't speak for himself.

I did enjoy the language, as old-fashioned as it was. My favorite quote was classic and clever: "He is dying of a long word." Yes, read this book carefully and use your dictionary.

I recently watched the DVD series of this book and bought the book to see whether anything had been changed or left out. But I was not disappointed, it was great to read a well written book and the DVD was pretty close to the storyline.

This is a compelling novel with deep meaning. The author draws you in and then surprises you throughout the story. The book is strongly Catholic at its root. In addition the language is beautiful. I consider this a must read.

Top literature! Just wish I came across this book earlier. And... I'll read it again, I know. I look forward to read it again, after a few years. It's one of those books. Haunted in a way and very peculiar humour.

Interesting study of the times. Marriage, manners, and morals are what novels in that time are generally about. Notice that no one ever does any actual physical work, everything is done for them, cooked for them, put on the table in front of them - it's all about the intrigues, the relationships, the twists and turns. The servants are creatures who don't exist.

Interesting study of the times. Marriage, manners, and morals are what novels in that time are generally about. Notice that no one ever does any actual physical work, everything is done for them, cooked for them, put on the table in front of them - it's all about the intrigues, the relationships, the twists and turns. The servants are creatures who don't exist.

Outstanding book. Beautifully written and most humorous. I read it because I learned it was one of Dominick Dunne's favorite authors and I wanted to find out why. Now I understand. Also, this book is an interesting commentary of aristocratic society in the 1930's in England.

A classic but a slow storyline. Old fashioned,characters were not well developed. For instance Sebastion was a main character in the beginning and then was not mentioned in the middle or end of story.