Very interesting, as always. I fully agree about this volume being a bit more dynamic than its predecessors, and I like it for that. I actually found the assassination quite effective - it brings the opening part of the book to a shuddering halt, along with Nick’s childhood and so much more, so presumably that jarring is deliberate? On another note, we get a somewhat different perspective on the character of Widmerpool, I think. We know from previous books that he’s a bit odd, awkward and pompous, but in the scene at the end of this one, he is positively unpleasant to Nick. Is there some element of revenge going on? Or is Widmerpool just a bit of an a**e? Greatly looking forward to the next three books which, from memory, are the backbone of the series.
I don't think it's personal with Widmerpool, he's just a little shit. I agree about the war section of the Dance, I think they're the best before it gets a little odd and tails off, though we still have the delights of Pamela ahead of us.
Thank you for your lucid take on The Kindly Ones. I too am puzzled by the title - I did wonder that if I knew more about the painting whether that would shed light.
I found the early life of Nick interesting- apart from school we have had little about his early life. I lthink Donners is a somewhat sinister character - a rich man who gets his own way because of his riches bBut I find him rather one dimensional - though the play acting did bring more of his character out.
I agree about the wit. I look forward to the next one.
Very interesting, as always. I fully agree about this volume being a bit more dynamic than its predecessors, and I like it for that. I actually found the assassination quite effective - it brings the opening part of the book to a shuddering halt, along with Nick’s childhood and so much more, so presumably that jarring is deliberate? On another note, we get a somewhat different perspective on the character of Widmerpool, I think. We know from previous books that he’s a bit odd, awkward and pompous, but in the scene at the end of this one, he is positively unpleasant to Nick. Is there some element of revenge going on? Or is Widmerpool just a bit of an a**e? Greatly looking forward to the next three books which, from memory, are the backbone of the series.
I don't think it's personal with Widmerpool, he's just a little shit. I agree about the war section of the Dance, I think they're the best before it gets a little odd and tails off, though we still have the delights of Pamela ahead of us.
Thank you for your lucid take on The Kindly Ones. I too am puzzled by the title - I did wonder that if I knew more about the painting whether that would shed light.
I found the early life of Nick interesting- apart from school we have had little about his early life. I lthink Donners is a somewhat sinister character - a rich man who gets his own way because of his riches bBut I find him rather one dimensional - though the play acting did bring more of his character out.
I agree about the wit. I look forward to the next one.