On with the dance

     On with the Dance (not the piano piece of that name I played as a child): Anthony Powell's "Dance" novels, and specifically volume 5, Casanova's Chinese Restaurant. I appreciate that writing piecemeal about a long series of books isn't perhaps of much interest to those who aren't already familiar with them, a bit like recounting the latest episode of a television series to someone who doesn't watch the programme at all, but still my ongoing discovery of Powell  - after an unpromising start - might encourage others to give him a go.

     The books' narrator, Nick Jenkins, has thus far been almost exclusively the looking glass through which we are shown the other characters, and that is at once fascinating and tantalising and quite frustrating. I'm keen to see if that role changes as the series progresses and we'll see more of his own life directly, rather than in relation to others. But in this volume we meet the composer Moreland, the ever-warring Maclinticks, and Stringham makes a welcome return in a very funny scene. Widmerpool doesn't figure much, but then there's the relationship of Mrs. Foxe and Norman Chandler which reminded me strongly (though less exaggeratedly) of that of Lady Montdore and Cedric in Love in a Cold Climate though sadly there's no equivalent of the apoplectic Uncle Matthew at Oxford station when he spotted the contrast piping on Cedric's suit!

     To return to Powell, you can read an expert account of the book here; I might add a humourous line or two:

     "Lady Warminster used sometimes to announce that she was receiving 'help' with one or another of her biographies from some fairly well-known figure....although it was never explained what form this took. Probably they adjusted the grammar."

     " 'Not now', said Miss Weedon, in the cosmically terminating voice of one who holds authority to decide when the toys must be returned to the toy-cupboard."

     And two which seem to express  - thus far at least - the books' philosophy:

     "In the end most things in life - perhaps all things - turn out to be appropriate."

     "....the rhythm of life would sooner or later be bound to bring us together again."

Powell and I shall be reunited soon for volume 6.

Comments

[adele geras]

I am exactly parallel with you in the Dance and LOVED this volume! I noted the very things you did, esp. that remark about things being appropriate. I'm not a hundred percent sure that it's TRUE but it's wonderful, nonetheless. I'm going to have an enforced break as am reading the 10 strong shortlist for a prize...The Lancashire book award for teenage books...so will fall behind, but can't wait for the next one. Those McLinticks!! Amazing...

[Margaret Powling]

I read the first in the series many, many years ago but didn't continue ... maybe perhaps I should! I recall the TV series, but I didn't much care for it. From my recollection of reading the first book, I found that I really couldn't have cared less about the characters, but perhaps with the benefit of age I might now warm to them!

[Margaret Powling]

Oh dear, Cornflower ... I shouldn't have let my eyes stray over to the left hand column wherein you put your current reading. Clare Chambers? I'd not heard of her, so I looked this up on Amazon (and her other novels) and, of course, before I knew it, I was ordering a copy from Amazon Marketplace ... I am a weak-willed bookacholic! Is there no hope for me ...