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Brideshead Revisited
Brideshead Revisited is a novel by Evelyn Waugh. It was adapted for Granada television in Britain in 1981 by John Mortimer. Recently it was repeated, and this was the first time I saw it.
I was immediately taken with the themes of love and possesiveness which ran through it. The story begins when Captain Charles Ryder returns to Brideshead after a posting in the war, and relates his memories to us. The love between Charles and Lord Sebastian Flyte begins, as Charles explains, when they first meet at Oxford University. Soon they become inseperable, and finally they discard all their other friends for each other. Sebastian's possessive side comes through when he tries to keep Charles away from the rest of the Flyte family; he fears he will lose his only friend to 'the other side'. Because of this he turns to drink and soon becomes an alcoholic, and is thrown out of the University.
At the same time, Charles decides he wishes to become a painter, and takes up residence in France, while Sebastian runs away to Morrocco. At the news of Sebastian's mother taking ill, Charles goes to Morrocco in search of his friend, only to find him very ill in hospital and unable to return to England. He also discovers that he has been replaced; Sebastian has met a young German, Kurt, and the love has been transferred. Meanwhile, Sebastian's mother dies at home.
After a few years, Charles and his wife Celia take a trip and meet Sebastian's sister, Julia, on a boat. An affair starts between Charles and Julia, who has just suffered a broken marriage. In this way, Charles transfers his love for Sebastian through Julia. Meanwhile, Kurt commits suicide in a German concentration camp.
Charles and Julia talk of marriage, while Cordelia brings the news of Sebastian's decline, both in health and life in general. Lord Marchmain returns to England after 25 years to die at home in Brideshead. He resists God until his final moment - Julia takes this as a sign that she will be given a chance if she stops being 'bad', and doesn't marry Charles ("I believe that if I give up this one thing I want so very much he will forgive me all other sins"), and so the tale of Charles' connection with Brideshead ends.
This page isn't just about reviews. I've seen so many pages floating about the web which are simply someone's opinion on something. I think this should be encouraged, but it shouldn't be the only thing on the page!!! So this page will include images and other stuff. Please bear with me until this page gets better, and I have time to update it!!!
NEW!!! If you have any questions or comments for other Brideshead fans, you can now leave a message on the board.
Also NEW: Want to chat with others about Brideshead Revisited, or just TV or movies in general? Then use my new Chat Room
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Meanwhile, if you have any comments / questions please email me
Thankyou :)
Copyright 1998 Fiona Simpson
