Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

A Dance to the Music of Time
A 12-volume roman-fleuve by Anthony Powell

1 A Question of Upbringing 1951
2 A Buyer's Market 1952
3 The Acceptance World 1955
4 At Lady Molly's 1957
5 Casanova's Chinese Restaurant 1960
6 The Kindly Ones 1962
7 The Valley of Bones 1964
8 The Soldier's Art 1966
9 The Military Philosophers 1968
10 Books Do Furnish a Room 1971
11 Temporary Kings 1973
12 Hearing Secret Harmonies 1975

A Dance to the Music of Time Synopsis:
http://anthonypowell.org/synopsis/

I have the First Movement (the first 3 volumes) so I can commit to that much. Is there a reading schedule? I am not the best Buddy on long books because I never can keep up but I will try!

Actually Annette I have not found a Host as of yet. So not sure what king of plan there is.

I was going to place links for the volumes and page count as well. Hopefully this week.

Any suggestions are open from anyone interested in this.

Annette wrote: "I have the First Movement (the first 3 volumes) so I can commit to that much. Is there a reading schedule? I am not the best Buddy on long books because I never can keep up but I will try!"

I also have the first movement sitting on my shelf and will be reading it. If I get on with it I’ll definitely continue on.

There are so many great choices in the various threads for next year that I'd thought of passing on this one......but it's irresistable!

I'll just have to give up sleep instead.

A book per month seems like the obvious schedule, so that's what I'll be aiming for.

That’s a good sounding plan, John

A Question of Upbringing is the opening novel in Anthony Powell's A Dance to the Music of Time, and the book that most of us in this Buddy Read will read in January.

It was published in 1951, and begins the story of a trio of boys — Nicholas Jenkins (the narrator), Charles Stringham, and Peter Templer — who are friends at a nameless school (based upon Powell's public school Eton College) and then move on to different paths. A fourth figure, Kenneth Widmerpool, stands slightly apart from them, poised for greatness.

The title of the book had its origin in an incident in which Powell was a passenger in a car driven by his friend, the Old Etonian screenwriter Thomas Wilton ("Tommy") Phipps. Phipps and Powell found themselves driving straight towards an oncoming vehicle. Powell later recorded, "Seizing the hand-brake as we sped towards what seemed imminent collision, Phipps muttered to himself, 'This is just going to be a question of upbringing.'

The whole series apparently chronicles the lives of more than 300 characters; this is also going to be a question of memory!!

I have requested a copy to my library. For now, looks like I will have to wait 4 weeks. I will try the first 3 volumes and see how it goes.
Thanks John for the intro.

That was good timing on your part, Lorraine. I hope you enjoy the first three books.

I just realized I forgot to add the links to the volumes. I will work on that this weekend hopefully!

Some of us are lucky enough to be reading both Powell's "Dance" and Proust's "Search" next year.

It's going to be fascinating to compare the two works, which have a lot of similarities - and a number of critics rate Powell's work the better. (Clive James claimed Dance was the greatest modern novel since Ulysses.)

I'm maybe being over-ambitious but I think one of the problems we'll have is pacing ourselves, and resisting the temptation to move on to the next book as soon as we finish one.

I started A Question of Upbringing today - and I'm making good progress - I'd forgotten just how good Powell is.

I am still waiting for the copy from my library but wondering if I should buy this book since each copy has 3 books. So this mean reading book number 1- return the book and ask for it again to read book number 2 and so on…I’ll see if it takes to long to get it…
I am really curious about these books.

Lorraine wrote: "I am still waiting for the copy from my library but wondering if I should buy this book since each copy has 3 books. So this mean reading book number 1- return the book and ask for it again to read..."

That’s a really good point, Lorraine. My library allows me to renew a book that isn’t a new release twice, which means I can keep it for three months. In fact they simply automatically renew it if it’s not back by the due date. I assume other library systems do the same? Maybe not.

I have the same dilemma, Lorraine. I borrowed the "Spring" volume with the first three books, and was trying to decide if I should binge read them, or return the book each time. There seem to be plenty of copies available in the Glasgow libraries, so with luck I shouldn't wait too long each time.

I used to have copies of the individual books, but that was years ago and I probably donated them to charity shops - I think a search of my cupboards is required this week, just in case I still have them.

Chad wrote: "Lorraine wrote: "I am still waiting for the copy from my library but wondering if I should buy this book since each copy has 3 books. So this mean reading book number 1- return the book and ask for..."

In Glasgow, you can't renew if someone else has put in a request for the book.

That makes sense, John. I haven’t run into that problem yet at my library. The rules may be the same at mine.

Chad wrote: "Lorraine wrote: "I am still waiting for the copy from my library but wondering if I should buy this book since each copy has 3 books. So this mean reading book number 1- return the book and ask for..."

No here in Quebec, you can renew a book only if nobody else has made a reservation. Usually I can borrow from 2 different public libraries ( the Quebec one or the Montreal one). Unfortunately, only one library has it and it looks very popular as I made my reservation 3 weeks ago I think. So I think I might have to binge read ir maybe read book 1 and 2 and put myself in the reservation line again…

Sorry this is off topic for this thread but this discussion made me look and see if my library even carries the book (I purchased a used copy months ago so I never checked). My library system has four copies of the first volume, or first three collected books. One of them is out. Then I wondered, out of curiosity, if your guys library systems work the same as mine. There are dozens of towns in the county I live in. Each town has it’s own library. You can go online and search for a book and it will search the entire county. Dozens of libraries. Then, if the library in your town doesn’t have a copy of what you are looking for but another library across the county does, they will drive it over to your library so you can pick it up. I was just wondering if this is pretty much the same everywhere? Because I have no clue.

Glasgow has a similar system Chad, but on a smaller scale. I can search the online catalogue, and if my local library has a copy of the book I want, I can reserve it and pick it up within 10 days. If they don't have a copy, but it's in any of Glasgow's 32 libraries, I can reserve a copy and request that it be transferred to my local Library. Once they receive it, they text me to go collect it. The only downside is that it doesn't tell you how many are in the "reservation" queue in front of you. If 10 people have reserved the book, it could take months to reach the front of the queue.

I've just finished A Question of Upbringing, reading it in a few long bursts over the last couple of days. I'd wondered if I would enjoy it as much as the first time round, but I shouldn't have worried - it's a pleasure to read.....will the next 11 books be the same?

I just received my copy. I will read book one and two. I’m really curious about this series.

That's excellent, Lorraine - I hope you enjoy the first couple of books enough to keep going with the series.

I’ve started book one. I like it so far. I find it is easy to read. Very modern in style compare to Proust.

Lorraine wrote: "I’ve started book one. I like it so far. I find it is easy to read. Very modern in style compare to Proust."

I find Powell very readable too, Lorraine, and I'm struggling to hold back from launching into the second book.

Has anyone else started on the series yet? (I think Chad and Annette were hoping to join in).

I finished book 1. Liked it a lot. Looking forward reading book 2 but will not say anything about it before February ;-)

I’ve started the first book. I like the writing a lot. I’ll be able to get through it this week and will share some thoughts.

I’m really enjoying his writing style. He has a knack for putting me right there in the room. At times it seems that our storyteller is in the moment and then he takes us away and says “but I was young then”. I think I’m going to enjoy reading through all of these. I just ordered the remaining volumes.

I'm delighted that we're all enjoying this first volume so much - it bodes well for the rest of the series. I agree with both you and Lorraine that Powell is very readable.

Annette - have you had a chance to make a start on A Question of Upbringing?

I just picked it off the shelf today. It’s my next hard copy book. I usually have an ebook or two & a hard copy going at the same time.

Annette wrote: "I just picked it off the shelf today. It’s my next hard copy book. I usually have an ebook or two & a hard copy going at the same time."

Excellent - I hope you'll enjoy it.

It’s a lazy day for me and there is a lot of tea to drink so I’ll probably finish it today. It’s very good.

This one was interesting. Why did I enjoy reading a book where nothing of significance happened? No clue. Why did I enjoy reading a novel that felt like my grandfather’s (sanitized for the grandchildren) journal? No clue. I have no idea why I enjoyed this. I suppose it’s just the authors way of putting me in different situations and having the storyteller think and react the way that I believe I would have. I’m looking forward to reading the other volumes and I have no idea why.

In February, we move on to the second book in the "Dance" - A Buyer's Market.

"A Buyer's Market is the second novel in Anthony Powell's twelve-novel series, A Dance to the Music of Time. Published in 1952, it continues the story of narrator Nick Jenkins with his introduction into society after boarding school and university.

The book presents new characters, notably the painter Mr. Deacon, female acquaintance Gypsy Jones and artist Ralph Barnby, as well as reappearances by Jenkins' school friends Peter Templer, Charles Stringham and Kenneth Widmerpool. The action takes place in London high society in the late 1920s."

If it's as good as the first book, it will be a fast and enjoyable read.

Chad wrote: "This one was interesting. Why did I enjoy reading a book where nothing of significance happened? No clue. Why did I enjoy reading a novel that felt like my grandfather’s (sanitized for the grandchi..."

I agree Chad - 1920's upper-class English society is NOT normally my cup of tea, but these novels for some reason feel like old friends. In a way, they're a bit like P G Wodehouse - but without the humour, if that makes sense!!

Chad wrote: "This one was interesting. Why did I enjoy reading a book where nothing of significance happened? No clue. Why did I enjoy reading a novel that felt like my grandfather’s (sanitized for the grandchi..."

I like the way you describe your reading experience. I also feel it is a book about nothing and wondering what the author wants us to understand? Maybe nothing! I finish second book a while ago because of some library problems I cannot solved. I found book 2 less catching then book 1. Not sure why. Maybe because Nicholas feel (to me) like he has no personality, not sure…maybe this will be solved in book 3.

I hope this group is still going on? I am waiting for the book from my library that will include volume 4-5 and 6. I liked book 3 more then the second one. ButI hope this story will become more then just a summary of lunch, dinners or parties.

Lorraine wrote: "I hope this group is still going on? I am waiting for the book from my library that will include volume 4-5 and 6. I liked book 3 more then the second one. ButI hope this story will become more the..."

The group is still going, Lorraine - but most of us are behind schedule I'm afraid (but with lots of time to catch up, fortunately). The group is quite small I'm afraid; I've been tied up on other things for a couple of months and Chad also seems to be unavailable at the moment. So it's great to see that you're up to book 4, and I look forward to joining you!

I should start book 7 next week and will have to read 8 and 9 in July too. Not sure why, but the libraries I go to only have one paper copy for these 3 books while they have the others in ebooks. Mystery! Until now I find book 6 the less interesting. First I think its too long for the style of these books. And I find that the main character does not seems to know where he is going. Let’s see if he finds his way in book 7 and on. Hope everyone is well.

Lorraine wrote: "I should start book 7 next week and will have to read 8 and 9 in July too. Not sure why, but the libraries I go to only have one paper copy for these 3 books while they have the others in ebooks. M..."

You are setting a cracking pace in this thread also, Lorraine! How are you enjoying the books so far? He's been compared (very favourably by some) to Proust - what's your view on that?

I am hopeless at group reads because I read too many books “at once”, but I thought I’d drop in and say hello, since I’m nearing the end of The Acceptance World. I imagine that readers who are not enthralled by close, minute-by-minute analysis of character and behavior would find Powell a tough go, but I’m loving it.

As it happens, I am two volumes into C.P. Snow’s parallel roman fleuve Strangers and Brothers. I recall that the critic and literary historian Martin Seymour-Smith adores Powell and despises Snow, which frankly I do not get at all, since their appeal is pretty much identical. The two authors were born two months apart in 1905, were working on their novel series at roughly the same time (Snow 1940-70, Powell 1951-75), were personally friendly, and seem to me strikingly similar in their writing styles and the cypher-ish characters of their narrating protagonists, Lewis Eliot and Nicholas Jenkins (the books are decidedly analytic but not SELF-analytic). If you like Dance you will like Strangers, and vice versa; I highly recommend both for the patiently literary sort of reader.

I am also reading the second volume of Simon Raven’ Alms for Oblivion in story chronology, Sound the Retreat, which was published seventh of the ten-novel series, and is set in the waning days of the British Army in India (1945-46). The immediate obvious difference between Raven’s novels and those of Snow and Powell is the gusto with which Raven gets into bodily functions - screwing (straight and gay), peeing, pooping, side effects of various illnesses, etc. Within pages of the opening of Sound the Retreat, we’re getting graphic descriptions of diarrhea as an inevitable adjustment to arrival in India. I love Snow and Powell, but they are Victorian aunts by comparison.

John wrote: He's been compared (very favorably by some) to Proust - what's your view on that?

That's quite a compliment to Powell! But I don't agree. I am not an expert on literature. Far from it. But I feel Proust writing is more poetic than Powell. And I feel that Proust is more concerned with the importance of understanding the importance of the passing of time in our lives then describing the period he lives in. I feel Powell is more descriptive of the events in Nick’s time than Nick’s thoughts. Hope my French makes sense! 😁

I just finished book 7 and liked it. I do not know a lot about WWII. It is interesting to see the author point of view of the army.

Patrick wrote: "I am hopeless at group reads because I read too many books “at once”, but I thought I’d drop in and say hello, since I’m nearing the end of The Acceptance World. I imagine that readers who are not ..."

I have put Snow books in my To Be Read list. Thanks for the suggestions.

^ I recommend reading the Snows in story-chron rather than publication order, starting with Time of Hope.

I've read some of the Snow books, but that was an awfully long time ago. I agree that they're similar to Powell's books in many ways.

Like Lorraine, I'll add Snow to my ever-growing TBR list. Thanks for the suggestions, Patrick.

Patrick wrote: "^ I recommend reading the Snows in story-chron rather than publication order, starting with Time of Hope."

Luckily, Goodreads seems to agree with you and numbers the series in Chronological Story Order rather than Chronological Publication Order: https://www.goodreads.com/series/6998...

I enjoyed Powell's DANCE series so may have to try the Snow one sometime too. The only Snow I have read is his Trollope bio, Trollope: His Life and Art

In French we would say this is 'un clin d'oeil' to Trollope. Not sure if in English you would say ' a wink to Trollope'? But here it is

Book 8: A soldier's art.
'What do you think of Trollope?' asked General Liddament to Nick

Nick: ' Never found him easy to read, sir'

Hello everyone.
I was wondering if we should ask Lesle to continue this thread into 2024. I will read book 9 this month but will probably have to wait in 2024 for the other 3.
What do you think?

Lorraine wrote: "Hello everyone.
I was wondering if we should ask Lesle to continue this thread into 2024. I will read book 9 this month but will probably have to wait in 2024 for the other 3.
What do you think?"

Lorraine I am sorry I missed this somehow.
We can if you would like that. Just remind me at the end of December.