52 pages 1 hour read

Evelyn Waugh

Brideshead Revisited

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1945

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh follows the life of Charles Ryder and his intricate friendship with the aristocratic Flyte family during the interwar period in England, delving into themes of faith, companionship, and societal change. The novel features complex LGBTQ+ subtext, depiction of alcohol misuse, religious intolerance, racism, and pregnancy loss.

Reviews & Readership

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited is praised for its eloquent prose and rich character development, exploring themes of faith, love, and nostalgia. Critics commend its evocative depiction of pre-WWII England. Some find its pacing slow and its religious undertones heavy-handed. Overall, it's a cherished classic with enduring impact on literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Brideshead Revisited?

A reader who enjoys Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh likely appreciates richly detailed narratives, character-driven plots, and themes of nostalgia, faith, and social change. Fans of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby or E.M. Forster's A Passage to India may find similar enjoyment in its exploration of 1920s-1940s British aristocracy and personal relationships.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Classic Fiction

British Literature

Topics

History: World

LGBTQ

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Memory

Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia

Society: Class