Anthony Powell's A Dance to the Music of Time Sequence (1951-1975)

[Extollager]

I read the first book (of twelve), A Question of Upbringing, 31 years ago. I wouldn't have anything worth saying about that experience. I wondered if anyone seeing this has read Powell. It seems he's sometimes linked to Evelyn Waugh, about whom there's a thread now too.

If nothing else, the thread on Powell might be worth starting so that we can enjoy this photo, which I've never forgotten...

 

[GOLLUM]

I do like that photo.

I know very little about Powell. I don''t think I have anythnig by him but I have heard of that sequence you quote in the thread title.

It would be interesting if anyone could post further details about him.

 

[MWagner]

I've long been curious about a Dance to the Music of Time, though I think my window of opportunity for a work of that scope and type has closed. However, if you're interested in something of a similar milieu, in a compact form, I can recommend The Untouchable by John Banville.

 

[Allegra]

I'd never heard of this author but that photo, wow! And what a good name for the series. Now I'm really curious to find the books out.

 

[Extollager]

One could simply give A Question of Upbringing, the first book of the twelve, a try, and see what happens... I read it many years ago and susequently bought more of the series, but somehow didn't get back to it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Dance_to_the_Music_of_Time

 

[Allegra]

One could simply give A Question of Upbringing, the first book of the twelve, a try, and see what happens... I read it many years ago and susequently bought more of the series, but somehow didn't get back to it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Dance_to_the_Music_of_Time

That explained where the title comes from, this breathtaking Poussin's 1636 painting:

If this isn't high fantasy, what is!

 

[Extollager]

There seems to be a guide to the series called Invitation to the Dance, by Hilary Spurling.

 

[Extollager]

"He was an only child who as a teenager developed a passion for antiquarian book catalogues."

Into the vortex of Widmerpool | Standpoint

 

[Extollager]

An article about V. S. Naipaul's inconsistent remarks about the Dance to the Music of Time sequence.

VS Naipaul: shockingly disloyal to his literary friend, claims Spurling

 

[Extollager]

A new biography of Powell that apparently focuses on the novel sequence:

Temporary king | Who still reads Anthony Powell? – A. N. Wilson