Reviews

• Sheer Perfection

  At Lady Molly's is the fourth book in Anthony Powell's 12-book series Dance to the Music of Time, and takes place in London around 1934. The major characters from the previous books reappear and some new ones are introduced. All are making their way in upper middle class society, and regardless of the amount of money they have, which varies, they all have status and social acceptability, nothwithstanding some of their political views or quirky behavior. That's what class seems to mean: once you're a member of it, your presence in whatever stratum you occupy, endures. Although Hitler is now in power in Germany, and ominous signs are surfacing, London society seems unconcerned. Furthermore, the profound economic and class changes brought about after WWI, seems hardly to have penetrated, unless they are so subtle that a reader like I cannot detect them. Above all, Powell's prose is sheer perfection; the beauty and elegance of his writing make me want to savior each sentence. It took At Lady Molly's to turn me into a devotee of Dance to the Music of Time. I've decided to read the remaining eight books of the series, although not at once. Like rich food, one wants to be careful of the dosage.

• At Lady Molly's

  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.”

• High value entertainment

  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!

• Why I will read the next book

  I enjoyed the contrast between Nick with his self effacing personality and his account of the people he encounters unjudgementally..

• Four Stars

  I am happy with my purchase

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