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Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Arrow (2005), Paperback, 240 pages
Description
'He is, as Proust was before him, the great literary chronicler of his culture in his time.' GUARDIAN A Dance to the Music of Time is universally acknowledged as one of the great works of English literature. Reissued now in this definitive edition, it stands ready to delight and entrance a new generation of readers. In this sixth volume, with Britain on the brink of war yet again, Nick Jenkins reflects back on his childhood growing up in the shadow of World War I. Wanting to follow in his father's footsteps, Nick sets his sights on becoming an officer in the Army, and asks his old school friend Widmerpool, who is gaining prominence in the business world, if he will help him. But reserves lists are quickly filling up with names, and it's not long until the threat of war is the one thing on everyone's mind.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member otterley
The fourth book in a Dance to the Music of Time. Jenkins gets engaged, Widmerpool gets disengaged, much marital manoeuvring takes place. This book brings into focus the Tollands and Sleafords, rambling families living rambling lives, while other characters come drifting in and out of view from
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previous close ups. At Lady Molly's ends with a wonderful juxtaposition of the Jungian analysis of 80 year old General Conyers, equerry and unexpected polymath, with the unsinkability of the 'intuitive extravert' Widmerpool. A stately comedy. Show Less
LibraryThing member Eyejaybee
Powell at his most magnificent best!
At the most basic level this novel, fourth volume in the masterful "Dance to the Music of Time" sequence, really only relates three or four set piece occasions (drinks at an aristocratic house in Kensington, a weekend spent in a country cottage within a landed
This must have been at least the tenth time that I have read this novel yet still I found new facets to wonder at. As ever, one learns next to nothing about the detail of the narrator's life - at one point he remarks, "I was then at that stage of life when one has published a couple of novels ..." The last that we had heard of this aspect of his life was in the preceding volume ("The Acceptance World") when he was keen to try his hand at writing, but unsure of the best material with which to work.
Widmerpool is absent for the greater part of this novel but makes his customary mark, bursting upon the haut-monde scene with the announcement of his engagement to fast-living socialite, the Honourable Mildred Blaides. New territory for our Kenneth, and how will he take to the domestic lifestyle.
Read it and enjoy!
At the most basic level this novel, fourth volume in the masterful "Dance to the Music of Time" sequence, really only relates three or four set piece occasions (drinks at an aristocratic house in Kensington, a weekend spent in a country cottage within a landed
Show More
estate, a drinks party to celebrate an engagement and Sunday lunch in a gentlemen's club), but from these Powell weaves a glorious tapestry of social observation, wry humour and political commentary.This must have been at least the tenth time that I have read this novel yet still I found new facets to wonder at. As ever, one learns next to nothing about the detail of the narrator's life - at one point he remarks, "I was then at that stage of life when one has published a couple of novels ..." The last that we had heard of this aspect of his life was in the preceding volume ("The Acceptance World") when he was keen to try his hand at writing, but unsure of the best material with which to work.
Widmerpool is absent for the greater part of this novel but makes his customary mark, bursting upon the haut-monde scene with the announcement of his engagement to fast-living socialite, the Honourable Mildred Blaides. New territory for our Kenneth, and how will he take to the domestic lifestyle.
Read it and enjoy!
Show Less
LibraryThing member devenish
Book four in this first-rate series. In it we are introduced to Erridge,otherwise the Earl of Warminster,who is a strange and tramp-like figure. We are also reintroduced to Widmerpool who in quick succession gets himself engaged to Mrs Haycock and then unengaged. He seems to me to be one of the
'A Dance to the Music of Time' is beyond doubt,a classic of modern literature and should be read by everyone. It is not an easy read it is true,but very rewarding to those who are willing to make the effort.
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most entertaining characters in modern literature. Nicholas Jenkins continues to narrate this enormous saga for our delectation and gets himself engaged too.'A Dance to the Music of Time' is beyond doubt,a classic of modern literature and should be read by everyone. It is not an easy read it is true,but very rewarding to those who are willing to make the effort.
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LibraryThing member leslie.98
2½ stars I don't know why I keep reading this series when I think the books are OK but not great! However, I find that here is a certain growing fascination with the story....
LibraryThing member jeffome
And so the saga continues. This felt more like a series of chapters in the larger story than necessarily its own book, but no complaints. Again, part of the charm is that not much happens, but just enough that i really want to know what happens next! I think what i like best is that i always feel i
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can relate to the narrator, Nick Jenkins, in his role as observer in a slightly crazy world full of even crazier people. As a relatively non-judgmental observer, we are definitely getting the feeling of the times. Looking forward to the next....oh......and i just found out there was a miniseries produced of this 12-volume epic....that is also something to look forward to! Show Less
LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
It is 1935, Lady Molly Jeavons keeps open house for the characters from "A Dance to the Music of Time". Nick Jenkins while being not very good at film writing, meets Isobel, his wife. Widmerpool, as usual, has a crushing personal crisis. Many lovely character studies. I think the book, written
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in1957, wears well, and the series may soon get a revival. Show Less
LibraryThing member Eyejaybee
In this, the fourth volume of "A Dance to the Music of Time" Powell is close to his most magnificent best!
Taken at the most basic level the novel really only recounts three or four set piece occasions (drinks at an aristocratic house in Kensington, a weekend spent in a country cottage within a
I have lost count of the number of times that I have read this novel (and, indeed, the whole sequence) yet still I found new facets to wonder at. As ever, though, one learns next to nothing about the detail of the narrator's life: at one point Jenkins remarks, "I was then at that stage of life when one has published a couple of novels ..." The last that we had heard of this aspect of his life was in the preceding volume ("The Acceptance World") when he was keen to try his hand at writing, but unsure of the best material with which to work.
Jenkins' bête-noire, the loathsome yet beguiling Kenneth Widmerpool, is absent for the greater part of this novel but he does eventually make his customary mark, bursting upon the haut monde scene with the announcement of his engagement to fast-living socialite, the Honourable Mildred Blaides. New territory for our Kenneth, and the reader is intrigued to know how he will take to the domestic lifestyle. Meanwhile Nick Jenkins has his own amatory thunderbolt moment.
Read it and enjoy!
Taken at the most basic level the novel really only recounts three or four set piece occasions (drinks at an aristocratic house in Kensington, a weekend spent in a country cottage within a
Show More
landed estate, a drinks party to celebrate an engagement and Sunday lunch in a gentlemen's club), but from such relatively modest material Powell weaves a glorious tapestry of social observation, wry humour and political commentary.I have lost count of the number of times that I have read this novel (and, indeed, the whole sequence) yet still I found new facets to wonder at. As ever, though, one learns next to nothing about the detail of the narrator's life: at one point Jenkins remarks, "I was then at that stage of life when one has published a couple of novels ..." The last that we had heard of this aspect of his life was in the preceding volume ("The Acceptance World") when he was keen to try his hand at writing, but unsure of the best material with which to work.
Jenkins' bête-noire, the loathsome yet beguiling Kenneth Widmerpool, is absent for the greater part of this novel but he does eventually make his customary mark, bursting upon the haut monde scene with the announcement of his engagement to fast-living socialite, the Honourable Mildred Blaides. New territory for our Kenneth, and the reader is intrigued to know how he will take to the domestic lifestyle. Meanwhile Nick Jenkins has his own amatory thunderbolt moment.
Read it and enjoy!
Show Less
LibraryThing member Eyejaybee
In this, the fourth volume of [A Dance to the Music of Time], Powell comes close to his most magnificent best!
Taken at the most basic level the novel really only recounts three or four set piece occasions (drinks at an aristocratic house in Kensington, a weekend spent in a country cottage within a
I have lost count of the number of times that I have read this novel (and, indeed, the whole sequence) yet still I found new facets to wonder at. As ever, though, one learns next to nothing about the detail of the narrator's life: at one point, Jenkins remarks, "I was then at that stage of life when one has published a couple of novels ..." The last that we had heard of this aspect of his life was in the preceding volume [The Acceptance World] when he professed himself keen to try his hand at writing, but unsure of the best material with which to work.
Jenkins's bête-noire, the loathsome yet beguiling Kenneth Widmerpool, is absent for the greater part of this novel but he does eventually make his customary mark, bursting upon the haut monde scene with the announcement of his engagement to fast-living socialite, the Honourable Mildred Blaides. New territory for our Kenneth, and the reader is intrigued to know how he will take to the domestic lifestyle. Meanwhile Nick Jenkins has his own amatory thunderbolt moment.
While I have always enjoyed the earlier books, I recall that on my first reading of the sequence as a whole, it was with this volume that it all suddenly came alive for me. Jenkins’s observations of the world seem particularly wry, and other characters have suddenly started taking more notice of him.
Read it and enjoy!
Taken at the most basic level the novel really only recounts three or four set piece occasions (drinks at an aristocratic house in Kensington, a weekend spent in a country cottage within a
Show More
landed estate, a Sunday lunch in a gentlemen's club and a drinks party to celebrate an engagement), but from such relatively modest material Powell weaves a glorious tapestry of social observation, wry humour and political commentary.I have lost count of the number of times that I have read this novel (and, indeed, the whole sequence) yet still I found new facets to wonder at. As ever, though, one learns next to nothing about the detail of the narrator's life: at one point, Jenkins remarks, "I was then at that stage of life when one has published a couple of novels ..." The last that we had heard of this aspect of his life was in the preceding volume [The Acceptance World] when he professed himself keen to try his hand at writing, but unsure of the best material with which to work.
Jenkins's bête-noire, the loathsome yet beguiling Kenneth Widmerpool, is absent for the greater part of this novel but he does eventually make his customary mark, bursting upon the haut monde scene with the announcement of his engagement to fast-living socialite, the Honourable Mildred Blaides. New territory for our Kenneth, and the reader is intrigued to know how he will take to the domestic lifestyle. Meanwhile Nick Jenkins has his own amatory thunderbolt moment.
While I have always enjoyed the earlier books, I recall that on my first reading of the sequence as a whole, it was with this volume that it all suddenly came alive for me. Jenkins’s observations of the world seem particularly wry, and other characters have suddenly started taking more notice of him.
Read it and enjoy!
Show Less
LibraryThing member BooksForDinner
Beautiful prose, unexpected plot twists, dry dry wit, all our favorite characters…just wonderful.
LibraryThing member robfwalter
I really enjoyed this one. I found it quite funny and there are plenty of well-drawn characters. The characteristic blend of humour and poignancy is still there.
Awards
James Tait Black Memorial Prize (Winner — Fiction — 1957)
Language
Original publication date
1957
Physical description
240 p.; 5.09 inches
ISBN
0099472430 / 9780099472438
Local notes
wien
series: #04 dance
duplicate
series: #04 dance
duplicate