The Solider's Art

Cecil Beaton, John Moore-Brabazon, 1st Baron Brabazon of Tara, 1940

By Anthony Powell, Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1995

So, here's the plot: during the middle years of the Second World War, Nick Jenkins is in the Army working alongside Capitain Biggs, General Liddament, and Widmerpool.  Jenkins is recommend to a liaison posting with the Free French military and meets Lieutenant-Colonel Lysander Finn.  Clearly functioning as a symbol wasted promise, Charles Stringham pops up in the story working as a Mess Waiter.

While on leave in London, Jenkins has drinks with Chips Lovell, estranged from Priscilla, and Hugh Moreland.  Mrs. Maclintick, now living with Moreland, joins the men for dinner.  Awkwardly, Priscilla and her lover Odo Stevens arrive in the restaurant.  Later that night, bombs rain down on London and kill Chips, Priscilla, and Lady Molly.

Returning to HQ, Jenkins discovers Widmerpool has transferred Stringham to the mobile laundry.  Widmerpool's political machinations run afoul of Sunny Farebrother, a cunning officer and friend of Peter Templer's father. Stringham is posted to the Far East, and Captain Biggs hangs himself.    

I continue to read AP's Dance to the Music of Time because I'm committed to working my way through The List.  Tedious.