-- This is the second copy of the book on my bookshelf --

Part 7 of A Dance to the Music of Time

Synopsis (Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org)

A Dance to the Music of Time is a twelve-part cycle of novels by Anthony Powell, inspired by the painting of the same name by Nicolas Poussin. One of the longest works of fiction in literature, it was published between 1951 and 1975 to critical acclaim. The story is an often comic examination of movements and manners, power and passivity in English political, cultural and military life in the mid 20th century.

On the 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die List.
Modern Library 100 Best Novels: No 43.

(Received from klaradyn, who kindly gave me copies of all 12 parts of this cycle of novels for BookCrossing purposes. Once read, I intend to select from these and the 9 copies I have a full set to donate to the 1001-library.)

The best of the series so far, I thought. This Observer reviewer seemed to agree with me on the book's merits:

"The Valley of Bones is sheer delight. It is immaculate in period and military detail; it praises duty, while at the same time making educated play of its absurdities; it recognises heroism, but is swift to prick pretension; it evokes a wry poetry from drabness and boredom; and it is exceedingly funny throughout."

As an example of the author's dry humour, try out the following three viewpoints to illustrate subjectivity:

- "A woman who causes a man to neglect his duty is not worth a moment's consideration."
- "No woman is worth a moment's consideration unless she is capable of making a man neglect his dury."
- "No duty is worth a moment's consideration if it forces you to neglect women."

Donated to 1001-library to be included in the library of books on the combined 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die list.

This donation is in memory of Dunzy, who recommended this cycle of books and was always encouraging others to donate parts of the series to the 1001-library. I have copies of 9 parts of the cycle of 12, and klaradyn kindly gave me copies of all 12 parts for BookCrossing purposes. As I read them, I intend to select from the combined group a full set to donate to the 1001-library. If you are interested, let me know.

Thanks so much for your donation Stoepbrak!

This book is now part of the 1001-library. If you want to take this book from the library but don't know how to proceed, please refer to the library bookshelf.

The book is on its way to soffitta1 in the UK, who asked to read it. I posted it this morning, opting for surface mail. Quite often a registered package like this gets lucky and is included with items dispatched by airmail. Only time will tell.


International tracking number: RJ021397070ZA
http://sms.postoffice.co.za/trackingparcels
http://www.track-trace.com/post

Thanks for sending the three book, my sister will love the stamps!

To be sent to Sunderland.

And this makes all 12! Thanks soffitta, I can make a start on the series now. I didn't want to until I had the whole series so it looks like my Christmas reading is all set xx