At Lady Molly’s (Dance to the Music of Time Book 4)
£4.70
‘He is, as Proust was before him, the great literary chronicler of his culture in his time.’ GUARDIAN
‘A Dance to the Music of Time’ is universally acknowledged as one of the great works of English literature. Reissued now in this definitive edition, it stands ready to delight and entrance a new generation of readers.
In this fourth volume, Nick Jenkins has settled comfortably into the world of art, culture and society as a London scriptwriter. When invited by a friend to spend the weekend in the country, he becomes acquainted with Isobel Tolland, the youngest sister of a large aristocratic family, and immediately decides they are destined to marry.
Meanwhile, rumours are circulating around Nick’s old friend Widmerpool’s engagement during a gathering at Lady Molly’s. As the roaring twenties fade into the austerity of the thirties, Nick and his friends face love and heartbreak as life’s dance continues to play out.
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Additional information
| Publisher | Cornerstone Digital, New Ed edition (11 Jan. 2011) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| File size | 673 KB |
| Text-to-Speech | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | Enabled |
| X-Ray | Not Enabled |
| Word Wise | Enabled |
| Sticky notes | On Kindle Scribe |
| Print length | 256 pages |
by m furniss
vg
by S Riaz
This is the fourth volume in the twelve novel, “Dance to the Music of Time.” The books are organised in terms of the seasons and so the first three novels are the Spring of our narrator’s life, consisting of A Question of Upbringing, A Buyer’s Market and The Acceptance World. This novel is the first in the Summer. This begins in 1934 and follows many of the characters we have already become fond of, as well as some new introductions.
The last novel, The Acceptance World, saw Nick Jenkins just embarking on a career in publishing. The Bright Young Things of the 1920’s are now growing up and embarking on marriages – and divorces. You have a sense that Nick feels he is somehow being left behind. His affair with Peter Templer’s sister, Jean, is over and, later in the novel, he meets a woman that he feels he will marry. However, like much of the romantic affairs in this book, it all feels rather tired and inevitable, rather than romantic and wonderful.
Central to this book is Kenneth Widmerpool who, to our narrator’s surprise, has become engaged. This engagement, and other characters reactions to it, continue as a thread throughout the novel. Widmerpool was, of course, at school with Jenkins and his childhood friends Templer and Stringham. Now Templer’s first marriage has broken down, while Stringham is drinking heavily. We also meet up with other familiar characters; including Quiggins and Mark Members. Jenkins is now a published author, but there is still a feeling of dissatisfaction and impermanence about both his life and career, while Widmerpool is on an upward trajectory – the unlikely success, forging ahead.
As well as personal relationships, the novel also explores the era the books are set in. At one point in the novel, characters wonder whether there will be another war. Still, although dark clouds are on the horizon, nobody yet seems that concerned about any immediate danger. Life, for Nick and those around him, goes on, and I look forward to reading the next novel in the series – “Casanova’s Chinese Restaurant.”
by Brian
I am happy with my purchase
by Howard Smith
Received the 2005 edition with different cover/type than that advertised/ordered which is the 2019 edition! So will have to buy again(elsewhere) to match others in set.
by James Brydon
Powell at his most magnificent best!
At the most basic level this novel, fourth volume in the masterful “Dance to the Music of Time” sequence, really only relates three or four set piece occasions (drinks at an aristocratic house in Kensington, a weekend spent in a country cottage within a landed estate, a drinks party to celebrate an engagement and Sunday lunch in a gentlemen’s club), but from these Powell weaves a glorious tapestry of social observation, wry humour and political commentary.
This must have been at least the tenth time that I have read this novel yet still I found new facets to wonder at. As ever, one learns next to nothing about the detail of the narrator’s life – at one point he remarks, “I was then at that stage of life when one has published a couple of novels …” The last that we had heard of this aspect of his life was in the preceding volume (“The Acceptance World”) when he was keen to try his hand at writing, but unsure of the best material with which to work.
Widmerpool is absent for the greater part of this novel but makes his customary mark, bursting upon the haut-monde scene with the announcement of his engagement to fast-living socialite, the Honourable Mildred Blaides. New territory for our Kenneth, and how will he take to the domestic lifestyle.
Read it and enjoy!
by DavidT
and to listen to on audible.
by hapless reader
The book is fine in terms of content – very amusing and one of the best of the series.
But the print is very poor – much worse than in 1-3 of the series which I already have. Random House should be ashamed of sending out a copy like that. They are all clearly scanned editions, but that is no excuse.
by Anthony Marks
Very good