A DANCE TO THE MUSIC OF TIME First Movement

Nick Jenkins comes of age in England between the wars, during a time of social and political change. His generation enters adulthood barely remembering WWI and unable to anticipate, in the early 1930s, the troubles to come. Simon Vance brings the first quarter of Powell's quasi-autobiographical novel to life with subtle characterizations and perfect pacing. Jenkins's classmates, friends, and social acquaintances appear off and on over the years covered in this volume, and Vance's consistent portrayals guarantee that each person is easily recognizable. As Jenkins matures from naïve schoolboy to young novelist, he discovers a not-always-pretty London of private salons, coming-out parties, art exhibits, old-boy dinners, and leftist politics. Vance's narration captivates listeners throughout this outstanding examination of a life in progress. C.B.L. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2010]