Pierre Bayard & Watching Brideshead Revisited

"in order to . . . talk without shame about books we haven’t read TV shows we haven't watched, we should rid ourselves of the oppressive image of a flawless cultural grounding, transmitted and imposed [on us] by the family and by educational institutions, an image which we try all our lives in vain to match up to. For truth in the eyes of others matters less than being true to ourselves, and this truth is only accessible to those who liberate themselves from the constraining need to appear cultured, which both tyrannizes us and prevents us from being ourselves."

Pierre Bayard’s essay on “How to discuss books that one hasn’t read” addresses a subject that should interest readers and bloggers alike. How do you alluded to works that you are somewhat unfamiliar with or stuff that you have only skimmed?

According to Bayard, it is perfectly possible and even fruitful to have a discussion about a book you hasn't read, even with someone who hasn’t read it either.

The practice of reviewing stuff we haven't actuallt read, watched or are only slightly familiar with draws alot from the practices of the late great Oscar Wilde. Wilde was truly the OG when it came to non-reading, the proper way to review a book according to Wilde was to set aside six minutes as the correct time to spend reading a book you were supposed to review, Wilde of course advocated the art of reviewing as a good way of talking about one self instead of writing about the actual book in mention.

So, applying bayards thoughts to general media and without further adue, here is my thoughts on the Brideshead Revisited DVD box having only managed to sit through the first 30 minutes of it as I found if boring as fuck..:

Brideshead revisited tells the tale of alcoholism, aristocracy and brotherly friendship. The series captures perfectly a golden moment of youth and then the gradual disillusionment brought by the passage of time. The scenography is great throughout and the directors handling of the actors is excellent, although I probably would have done just a little bit better given the chance. The first three episodes are truly the highlight of the series and offer an incredible array of superior performances, quite like my early school plays in the "Rudbecksskolan" which are now wieved upon as quite legendary as far as school plays goes. We then see a sudden dip in episodes 4-8 (I however enjoyed these parts, you see to adore simple pleasures are the last refuge of the complex.) followed by a truly great finale in the final three episodes. I recommend it to anyone, but as a whole, I feel I am in my full right to say it was a pretty dull experience watching the whole of the series, I would recommend anyone planning on watching it to divide it up in to small parts, for unlike suffering which is one very long moment and cannot be divide into seasons, Brideshead Revisited fortunately can.. I am of course writing this review pro bono to benefit you my readers, genius is after all born - not paid. THE END!