Tuesday, September 25, 2012

AFTERNOON MEN - Anthony Powell



A novel involving the 'lost generation' - that group of young people between the wars who seemed to spend their time, drinking partying and proposing to any female who would listen.

The synopsis  to this edition has this absurdity to say  " Nobody, not even Evelyn Waugh has done the British "lost generation" better than Anthony Powell......."

Well, I have to disagree, this is a poor mans "Vile Bodies"  at this stage of his writing career Powell was not even close to Waugh and as this was published a year after 'Vile Bodies" the conclusion is that Powell pretty much copied Waugh's scenario.  This story has some very funny moments, the chapter at Pringle's country house is very clever, but overall not as consistent as the mighty Waugh at this age.

Worth reading, its light and short but if you read Powell go in boots and all to his twelve volume masterpiece " Dance to the Music of Time" then you will be reading a novelist that is the equal of Waugh.   (1931)






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