3.0 out of 5 stars
The lowest point so far in a generally entertaining series, February 12, 2011
THE SOLDIER'S ART is the eighth novel of Anthony Powell's long work "A Dance to the Music of Time" and the second covering World War II. Nicholas Jenkins continues to serve in a division in Northern Ireland, suffering the whims of new superior Kenneth Widmerpool. No longer, however, is the war a distant rumour. The narrator's companions are sent off to battlefields across Europe and Asia, English civilians are suffering daily bombings, and Jenkins himself is tasked with overseeing anti-aircraft batteries.
Indeed, characters start dying in earnest. Powell is at his most effective in conveying the tragedy of these deaths when they are mentioned in passing. After a vivid sketch of some character's colourful personality, Powell concludes with the aside like "But then he was killed by a landmine a week before the German surrender." When Powell does depict deaths right "on screen" as it were, he does so in a flat and unconvincing fashion. THE SOLDIER'S ART became for me the least satisfying volume of the Dance because of the middle section where Jenkins sees several people dear to him die on one London night.
There are still some memorable elements of the novel, however. Stringham returns, cured of his alcoholism but more pitiful and melancholy than ever before: though he's of the same generation as Jenkins, he's become an old man already. I was let down a bit here, but I still look forward to what the Dance has next.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Staffing, February 15, 2009
Nick Jenkins is a Second Lieutenant. He is a staff officer for Kenneth Widmerpool, a major at headquarters. Widmerpool is a school associate. As a schoolboy Widmerpool was unpopular. General Liddament cherishes Trollope, but Nick responds that he has never found Trollope easy to read. General Liddament believes that a transfer will make better use of Nick's gifts.
Nick runs into Charles Stringham as the new waiter at the mess hall. Widmerpool contends that Stringham was a a badly behaved boy at school, (and that his low position isn't surprising. At the same time Widmerpool is nervous that he will be connected with Stringham and so where possible he uses his efforts to get Stringham moved.) Stringham does not want to go to dinner with Nick. It isn't just that they would be violating the provision prohibiting fraternization, it is easy to hide in London, he doesn't want to change the rhythm of his routine as a waiter.
On leave, Nick has dinner with Hugh Moreland, the composer, who, as a consequence of the war, is finding a lot of employment in the music field. Following up on the help and information provided by General Liddament, Nick is interviewed and offered a postion to serve as a liaison with the Free French. Alas, he is unable to show mastery of the French language and so must pass up that opportunity. Although Nick makes a botch of the language test, Major Finn tells him he will keep him in mind should something else arise.
Relatives of Nick's wife are killed that same night, as Nick dines with Moreland, in a bombing raid. Returning to the mess, Nick learns that Stringhamm, subject to the machinations of Widmerpool, among others, has been transferred to the laundry, an outfit that is to receive orders to go abroad.
This novel places the reader in the thick of things in wartime London and the armed forces. Nick and the other men of his generation are really too old to be placed on active duty, but they feel compelled to do something to express their patriotism. This volume seems less episodic, more structured, and more solid than some of the other books in the series. All are excellent in their way, it is just that this one, given the events portrayed, has a more serious tone.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
