Telling It Like It Wasn't (Brideshead Revisited) (Critical Essay)

Brideshead Revisited, dir. Julian Jarrold. Writ. Andrew Davies and Jeremy Brock. Ecosse Films, 2008. Reviewed by Donat Gallagher, James Cook University. In 1963 a kindly Professor of English ignored prevailing opinion that Waugh was "too lightweight for serious study," listened to my contention that Waugh's lightness plumbed interesting depths and approved my proposal to write a dissertation on Brideshead Revisited. Some days later a normally businesslike acquaintance asked about my topic; in return I asked whether she had read the novel. Uneasy silence followed. Then, with un-businesslike shyness she replied: "Thirty-seven times. I was an alcoholic, and I feel so close to Sebastian that I can't stop reading the book."