Our book choice for January 2012 is Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh. It is an evocative and poignant story of forbidden love and the loss of innocence, set in pre-war England when privileged aristocracy fell into decline. 
The story begins in 1925 at Oxford, when Charles Ryder is befriended by the louche and flamboyant Sebastian Flyte, son of Lord Marchmain, and is quickly seduced by an exciting new world of money, glamour and outrageous behaviour.
When he is invited to “Brideshead” the Flyte family’s magnificent ancestral home, Charles becomes infatuated with Julia, Sebastian’s beautiful sister. But as Charles’ emotional relationship with the Marchmain family deepens, he finds himself continually at odds with their deepest family bond, that of their overpowering Catholic faith.
Discussion Questions
- Did you enjoy the novel?
- To what extent is the novel a glorification or nostalgic view of a dying British aristocracy?
- What do you think of the style in which it is written?
- It is often thought of as a more serious passionate piece than his earlier satirical novels such as Scoop, it does however have elements of comedy, did you find it funny?
- Do you think the novel portrays the passing of time, the different stages of life and the development of characters well?
- With particular reference to the closing chapters, what was Waugh trying to say about Catholicism?
- Let’s talk a little about Charles’s relationship with Sebastian. How does it compare or foreshadow his relationship with Julia? Was it sexual? Does it matter?
- What did you think of the ending? Did it affect your overall view of the of book?
- Would you recommend the novel, if so who to?
Individual Ratings
DKB Rating 
EmmaJ Rating
John Rating
Sue Rating