Down There on a Visit

I like Christopher Isherwood's writing - the style tends to fit my taste, but not universally so. That's how it was with this book, which covers four episodes or periods in Isherwood's life. First, there's the early trip to Germany in his callow youth. This was excellent. Then, the time he spent on a Greek island with some particularly curious characters. Also magnificent. The third part is where I enjoyed myself less, as he splits his attention between Waldemar and the lead-up to the Second World War - though his account of how he felt and what he thought before war was declared is, at times, fascinating. The last section, detailing his time in California on a somewhat spiritual journey, feels like it is the least 'writerly' of the show more four parts, and suffers as a result. But what redeems it somewhat is how it feels like it all happens in the 1960s, even though these were the war years - clearly, the sexual revolution began far earlier than I had ever thought! show less

La cosa che mi è piaciuta di questo libro è la stessa che non me lo ha fatto apprezzare appieno: il distacco superbo, il disincanto di questo privilegiato suddito di sua maestà britannica che non batte ciglio mentre attorno a lui c'è chi muore (in guerra, per droga o suicida).
Nazismo? - Deprecabile (più che per altro per la bassa rozzezza di zio adolfo e scagnozzi) ma non è che mi abbia toccato più di tanto, mi ha dato un pretesto per andarmene da Berlino.
Amore? - Roba da cameriere ha detto qualcuno e io(Isherwood) sottoscrivo.
Induismo? - Quanto mi ci sono divertito quell'autunno in California con Paul! Divertente come hobby, per una stagione!
Insomma, ne esce un Isherwood troppo antipatico per i miei gusti che mi ha rovinato la show more lettura (che pure all'inizio era stata molto gradevole per l'eleganza dello stile!) show less

Christopher Isherwood's novel Down there on a visit basically plays out Isherwood's life, and as with his biography, the time in Germany, before the war, seems to be somewhat exciting, while the later years are murky and uninteresting. It is the same for the novel: the beginning reads easily, but the latter part is boring.

2660 Down There on a Visit, by Christopher Isherwood (read 7 Oct 1994) This book is in four parts--it appears autobiographical, though clearly it is fiction-tainted--"Mr Lancaster" tells of Isherwood's first trip to Germany, arranged by a stepson of his grandmother's brother-in-law, who is in shipping. "I" has a few weird experiences. Next is "Ambrose", a rich hedonistic Briton living in Greece. What goes on on the Greek island is repulsive and dripping with queer atmosphere. Next is "Waldemar"--the only character in the book who turns out OK--married with a family at the end. The fourth part is Paul, who goes to a camp for COs and ends up dead in Paris in 1953. The book--except when it prates of Eastern mysticism--reads easily and show more entertainingly, although one detests the moral or amoral view of all the characters. show less

This is the first Christopher Isherwood book I have read and am looking forward to reading more of his writings. I would also like to learn more about Mr. Isherwoods private life and loves. This book was based on his own life during the 30's and 40's. I did not know that his novel GOOD-BYE TO BERLIN (1939) was the basis for the hishly acclaimed musical CABARET. He indeed appears to be a very interesting man.