This is a great book, and I enjoyed it even more on my re-read a wee while ago.
I agree about the second bit not being as enjoyable, but I think it's better written than the first bit, with more humanity.
The first bit's so much fun because of Sebastian, you're right. His ... quirky personality (most obviously evidenced by Aloysius) is a lovely foil to Ryder's more sombre character, and it brings Charles out of his shell so we get a double act of mischief. When Sebastian's influence wanes, Charles slips back to the more staid side of things.
And now I want to re-read it again.
Also! Watch the miniseries with Jeremy Irons. It is utterly gorgeous.
I agree about the second bit not being as enjoyable, but I think it's better written than the first bit, with more humanity.
The first bit's so much fun because of Sebastian, you're right. His ... quirky personality (most obviously evidenced by Aloysius) is a lovely foil to Ryder's more sombre character, and it brings Charles out of his shell so we get a double act of mischief. When Sebastian's influence wanes, Charles slips back to the more staid side of things.
And now I want to re-read it again.
Also! Watch the miniseries with Jeremy Irons. It is utterly gorgeous.
*MySmiley*
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
So I actually managed to read a few books while on holiday... go me. 
- 26/07/2010 07:12:56 PM
754 Views
- 26/07/2010 07:12:56 PM
754 Views
Evelyn Waugh - Brideshead Revisited
- 26/07/2010 07:53:23 PM
819 Views
- 26/07/2010 07:58:41 PM
707 Views
- 26/07/2010 07:58:41 PM
707 Views
Just in case I didn't clarify--
- 26/07/2010 09:21:42 PM
567 Views
Should I start lying about my progress to turn up the pressure, then? *NM*
- 26/07/2010 10:36:13 PM
307 Views
*NM*
- 26/07/2010 10:36:13 PM
307 Views
I paid $45-50 (counting shipping) for the nine Sapkowski books I own!
- 26/07/2010 10:07:03 PM
749 Views
What, each? That's insane!
- 26/07/2010 10:35:49 PM
640 Views
$26 or so for the book, $20-25 for the shipping
- 27/07/2010 12:15:00 AM
751 Views
Yikes. One by one, I take it, to have such high shipping costs?
- 27/07/2010 12:21:32 AM
714 Views
Sometimes two at a time, but I bought them as the new editions came out
- 27/07/2010 12:55:29 AM
702 Views
Re: So I actually managed to read a few books while on holiday... go me.
- 27/07/2010 11:58:41 AM
653 Views
- 27/07/2010 11:58:41 AM
653 Views
I'll let you know if that was the right decision once I get around to reading it. *NM*
- 27/07/2010 03:53:40 PM
297 Views
*NM*
- 27/07/2010 03:53:40 PM
297 Views